Tubers - Anachronous

Tubers come from Florida. They're signed on the punk temple that is No Idea Records, which already gives you an idea of what to expect. The band features members of more hardcore formations Twelve Hour Turn, True North and Asshole Parade. 'Anachronous' is their third album and their best to date.

Tubers' new delivery is gritty, lively and urgent. Mixing vigorous and upbeat post-punk ('Coconut thunder') and garage or even grunge sounds ('High tide it's inside'), they surprise by the range of influences developed. The instrumentation is rigid, angular, the energy is inexhaustible, the guitars go wild and the production (provided by the great Rob McGregor, who has recorded with everyone from Against Me! to Hot Water Music and New Mexican Disaster Squad) is so raw you'd think the record was released two decades ago. Indeed, Tubers have a really old-school feeling, ending up somewhere between 80's hardcore and 90's emo. Fugazi is by far the most obvious comparison. There are some excellent furious moments with lots of shouting ('Small signs big posts', 'Anachronous'), but those fast tempos are mixed with more moderate ones, for the best effect ('Pale sunbather'). There even are very old-school instrumental tracks, half effective ('Unmutual') and half falling flat ('40 XL'). But as a whole, the music quality is high. The composition work (with the addition of harmonica) on a song like '68' is simply impressive.

I wouldn't listen to it everyday, but Tubers' third album is a big step for the band and one of the genre's finest. No matter if you prefer Nirvana, Radio Birdman or Rites Of Spring, there's something you'll like on 'Anachronous'. Another great record straight from Gainesville, another great band to see on the Harvest Of The Hope festival stages.

3.5/5

Recommanded if you like:
Fugazi, Jawbox, Drive Like Jehu
Check also:
Twelve Hour Turn, Double Dagger, How Do We Jump This High?

www.myspace.com/tubers
(No Idea Records, 2010)