7" Singles Reviewed [Black Panda, Cheyenne, more]

Less electronic, The Hot Pentecostals’ “Hardwood Ave. No. 1” is also a bit more upbeat, coming closer to the tradition of ‘90s alt-country vanguards Whiskeytown. Like Cheyenne, The Hot Pentecostals whittled themselves down to a duo for this recording. Both groups have a short time to make an impression, but their songs (as well as the moods they transmit) are sturdy.

Dead Ghosts/The Smith Westerns - "She Likes It/Tonight"

Like the thematically-similar split we just visited, this “7 has both sides tackled by bands who worship a pop-rock tone but prefer it smothered in noise. First up is Dead Ghosts with “She Likes it,” a rough, treble-y, and reverb-soaked approach to a classical pop form. It’s got that trademark Psychocandy dissonance (seriously, maybe the Jesus and Mary Chain should trademark that already) that’s seen a new revival with groups like Wavves and Women. It’s like one of Spector’s girl groups, fronted by a guy who plays with a band in his garage but records in the closet.

The b-side is less subtle but more entrancing. The song is “Tonight” by Smith Westerns, who, like Dead Ghosts, prefer haziness and nuance over clarity and assuredness. Where this song surprises is in its almost cheerful vibe, which feels the grove and remains appealing even as it rolls in the dirt. Here they are performing "Tonight" on that weird Chicago public access children's show.

Black Panda - "Shake Me"

Figuring out the intricacies of these last three bands is a little like trying to have a conversation while getting punched in the kidneys, but we'll give it a go. Black Panda is a newer project of Yoshi Okai (formerly of Kodiaks) and his latest musical incarnation is also angry, but hulking and slurry as well. It starts off with a chuggy, Stooges-like jam in "Lonesome Jim," which features Okai's hoarse vocals and repetitive, crunching riffs. The band is new, and even standout track "Shake Me" is a little sloppy while still shredding. This is a group still finding their sound, so match your expectations accordingly.

The Teeners - "Gold"

"Gold" starts off the Teeners single with vocal chord-shredding screams and a three chord assault. Aggression continues with "Flappin' Gums" and "Human Trash," which builds, explodes, and then ends with the refrain "I don't care about shit." The energetic Teeners, who put on a fittingly snarly live show, have since disbanded. Hopefully there will be more vitriol in the future from this band's former members.

The Young - s/t?

If anything, The Young are a little sharper than the Teeners and lean heavier on the bass and bottom end in general. Also unabashedly angry, the single begins with the annoyance anthem "Get Out of My Face." While the a-side is militant and aggressive, the b-side improves the formula by adding discordant, atmospheric guitar to the mix, as on "Erase You" and the unhinged "Nobody Cares," a battle between tight punk chops and chaos.

Cheyenne: [website] [myspace]
The Hot Pentecostals: [website] [myspace]
Dead Ghosts: [myspace]
Smith Westerns: [myspace]
Black Panda: [myspace]
The Teeners: [myspace]
The Young: [myspace]