Hard rocking Austin trio, White Denim is back following their powerful debut album Workout Holiday with their sophomore effort, Fits. Fits takes things up a notch with strong production work by drummer Josh Block streaming three guys together playing to their limits. One might worry that this much talent and energy would conflict, but not so with bandmates Block, Steve Terebecki (bass), and James Petralli (guitars, vocals).

“Radio Milk How Can You Stand It” starts off with a little distortion and fuzz before kicking into high gear and rarely slows down for the remainder of the CD. They are masters of their game, and even though there are obvious nods to 70’s rock, White Denim makes it all their own. The band’s earlier material sounded like it was recorded in a garage, but Block steps up his game here, layering vocals to new instrumentation including a sitar, wood blocks and a cow bell. These new sounds are never overpowering or out of place – they show up here and there, adding just the right flourishes when needed.

“All Consolation” continues the attack, but the band opens things up here. Petralli lays down some guitar licks that contain the same passion that made axe men from Jimmy Page to Jack White famous. “Sex Prayer” and “Mirrored and Reverse” have a touch of the Lizard King to them, channeling Ray Manzarek and Robbie Krieger like men possessed. And just when the listener might begin to get stuck in these established, churning grooves, White Denim changes things completely with “Paint Yourself,” which incorporates hand claps and percussion rolls to sustain a jazzy vibe. “I’d Have It Just The Way We Were” stays in this more chilled groove before “Everybody Somebody” ups the ante again and the rock machine comes back to life.

Then, just as you’re strapped in for a nice melodic ride, the band hits you with an out-of-nowhere surge, layering vocals, adding instruments and taking it to whole new levels. And that’s the thing about this album – each song starts in one place before ending in entirely new worlds. But the transition is so natural and organic, you probably won’t realize it until your second or third listen. The boys end officially with “Syncn,” taking a deliberate stab at their one “quiet” song, but they change their tune riding out on a wall of sound at the end. Don’t mistake me, the song is fantastic – it just reiterates the fact that White Denim can’t contain their own energy.

Even in today’s musical climate of individual MP3s, Fits works better as an entire album than as a bunch of random singles. There’s a cohesiveness that makes every track build upon the next taking a somewhat basic garage-punk-blues formula and stretches it to the limits. I realize we’re only half way through 2009, but Fits must be considered a frontrunner for album of the year. -CD

Fits is available only in the UK from Full Time Hobby (Download)

MP3: White Denim – Mirrored And Reverse

Related Posts:
Rollo & Grady Interview with James Petralli (click here)
Rollo & Grady Interview with Steve Terebecki (click here)

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