hidden hidden hidden hidden hidden
copacetic zine flowers
info contact links stripes shop copacetique!
flower
flower
flower
flower
flower
music:
concerts:
movies/dvds:
books:
misc:
  reviews
moggs
the white belt is not enough • absolutely kosher • 2005

The title of this album seems to be a bit of a swipe towards The White Stripes—Southern California's Moggs are, like Jack and Meg, a boy-guitar, girl-drums duo, but they really don't need to position themselves in opposition to Detroit's most famous garage-rockers. Sonically they fall squarely into the company of early-to-mid-90s loud-guitar indie rock bands. The track "Lynbrook" is so reminiscent of early Versus that it could almost pass for an outtake from The Stars Are Insane, which is definitely a compliment. "Disco" has some bendy Polvo-esgue guitar bits, and "Take Take Take" comes across somewhat like a less-arty, less-feedback-damaged Unwound. As long as I'm dropping all these names I might as well make the obvious comparison based on their stripped-down lineup and liken them to a tougher, more agressive Spinanes as well. Guitarist Justin "Sir Plus" Millar and drummer Cara "Miss Minor" LP split vocal duties and achieve a beefy sound with just the two of them. Millar's sometimes-dissonant guitars are rich with distortion, and LP gives her set a good pounding. The disc starts out excellently, really solid and satisfying, but the interest level gradually declines as things go on. Fortunately there's a brief unlisted bonus track which kicks the energy back up for about a minute at the end. Judging from the CD inserts, the band seems quite devoted to their dogs, which is nice. (mike.11.05)

rating

three stars

related links