Parts And Labor

In a climate where people will actually listen to someone tunelessly fucking around with synths and effects pedals, Parts And Labor has developed a model unity of songwriting and sound-wrangling. When the New York trio compulsively fiddles with keyboards and gadgets, an abundance of hooks come out, no less catchy for sounding cleverly bruised and warped. The band’s fractured, pointed wordplay and combustible drumming tie the music more to the steely earnestness of post-hardcore than to the avant garde. The new Constant Future isn’t as elaborate as 2008’s Receivers or as gloriously blown-out as 2007’s Mapmaker, but it may well be the most thoroughly fun and touching set they’ve ever put together, making it a fitting final album before the band’s indefinite hiatus. While we hate to see the Brooklyn act go, it celebrated its 10th anniversary at its final show… so at least it didn't go quietly.

Updated 02/13/2012