Lightning Bolt

Less like Thomas Mann's portent tome and more like the Disney roller coaster, Lightning Bolt again lets flail with only bass and drums for its third album, Hypermagic Mountain. While other noise bands (like Hella or Black Dice) have grown more ambitious (or at least climbed up on a stage), the duo perpetually upshifts riffs from 90 mph to light speed. The full-throttle pineal pummel as witnessed on 2003's Wonderful Rainbow remains unadulterated. If anything, Lightning Bolt's density has been further clarified so that every telepathic gesture and bead of sweat is elucidated on tape. Which isn't to say that the strafe runs of the title track or "Captain Caveman" aren't harried and frenzied; it's just that when the band stops climbing for a breather (as on "Mega Ghost" or amid the weird puppy yips on "Infinity Farm"), it allows for a quick look at the precipices ascended.

Related Content

• The White Ribbon is Michael Haneke's best film
  February 11, 2010
• Last Night: Animal Collective at Culture Room
  June 10, 2009
• Black Dice
  October 11, 2007
• Black Dice
  June 24, 2004
• The Case for Critics
  August 5, 2004

More About

• Thomas Mann
• Black Dice
• Parapsychology and the Paranormal

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue