ALBUM REVIEW: Soon – LAGS

Italy’s rich musical history is one of the most immediately identifiable in Europe. However, the nation has a limited history of punk, or even alternative music in general. With their hybrid brand, melding the unwelcoming abrasion of FUGAZI, the bold technicality of AT THE DRIVE-IN and the emotional weight of BOYSSETFIRE’s finest work, LAGS are in a field of one; it just so happens they are capable of facing their contemporaries globally.

There are few sub-genres more bastardized and misunderstood than post-hardcore. Since Victory Records snatched up dozens of quiet-loud bands who combined saccharine emo and bludgeoning breakdowns, perhaps in an attempt to recapture the glorious commercial success of A DAY TO REMEMBER, countless bands have been mislabelled as post-hardcore. This has become such a continuous misunderstanding, that even bands from the past have been retroactively re-assessed as ‘not post-hardcore’; namely DRIVE LIKE JEHU or NATION OF ULYSSES – who have been labelled noise rock, and ‘jazz punk’ respectively. However, bands like LAGS, with albums like Soon, are sure to contribute to an era of correction – it makes a compelling argument that there remains plenty of life in a genre which has spent the best part of the last two decades bubbling in the underground.

While this style of music is often stark and unforgiving, LAGS are unafraid to generously add colour to their sound with playful guitar harmonies, backed by a militaristic rhythm section complete with slender bass and an authoritative drum performance (which curiously enough, comes courtesy of world renowned triple jump athlete Andrew Howe). They rarely blast, often moving at a stomping pace, giving shape to their frantic and jazzy compositions. It’s a positively electrifying recipe, and when it works, it works terrifically.

This is also a band with a large pool of influences. While many of their contemporaries are perfectly happy to ape REFUSED and nothing more, it is refreshing to hear a band borrow from alien realms. A primary example of this is Showdown, a driving piece which echoes BLOC PARTY & THE STOKES as much as it does SPARTA. A quirky guitar line is underpinned with an accomplished but basic drum performance, it’s one of the moments on the album where the band seem more in touch with indie music rather than the punk roots of their genre. While this may put off potential listeners, namely those who come out in hives at the mere mention of THE WHITE STRIPES. It ought not to work, and yet it is unquestionably one of the album’s highlights.

LAGS suffer few weaknesses, but one of the few weaknesses this album suffers is a slight one, but one that is abundant throughout the album. Upon listening, one cannot help but think each of these songs, vocally, could have done with one more take. Aesthetically, it calls upon influences from both Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Jim Adkins; the commanding nature of the former, and the sweetness of the latter. This sounds like a superb, unique mix, and yet often vocalist Antonio Canestri fails to nail either of these personalities. It’s not a total write-off by any means; one would be foolish to bet against him perfecting this balance come album 3. Yet, one cannot deny that Soon would be a stronger album were he just marginally more accomplished.

This ought not put off potential listeners however. LAGS may not be perfectly well-oiled machine just yet, but then again, neither are their contemporaries or influences. In fact, these flaws add to the charm. If you’re coming to Soon seeking a taut and impeccably performed record, you will likely be disappointed. But these people also won’t be fans of the bands who made bands like LAGS possible. For them, this album will be a welcome reminder that post-hardcore’s future is in safe hands.

Rating: 7/10

Soon is out now via Casu Marzu Records.

Like LAGS on Facebook.