Album Review

Isa & The Filthy Tounges – Addiction

• 26th Jul 2009

Isa and the Filthy Tongues released this album three years ago and no-one really noticed, but this re-release, merited by their soundtracking a semi-major movie last year, reveals a substantial enough piece of work to make that look like a woeful oversight.

Opener “Big Star” sets a formula, production-wise that’s kept up more or less for the duration of the album: trashily outsize basslines and serrated guitars, with terrific vocals from frontwoman Stacey Chavis. The band cites the Pixies a major influence and they ain’t lying, I daresay there’s a strong whiff of Daydream Nation/Goo-era Sonic Youth in the mix as well.

More on Chavis: she’s an exciting singer, channeling punk aggression through her more-than-able voice and deft grasp of melody. “Education” is a prime example of the singer’s attraction: lyrically a piece of jingoism for the outsider in the grand tradition of punk songs (“this song is for anyone who’s been put down or hurt”), it’s half spoke-sung, half belted out: “You don’t know shit” she cries at the recipient of her vitriol. “Finders Fuckers” is another belter: raunchy, sleazy, recalling a little Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus”. The tracks are by turns searing, three-chord punk and brooding, bassy romps, with very little filler.

Not that the Filthy Tongues themselves – I’m assuming Chavis is the titular Isa – are simply a backing band; each instrument contributes strongly to the sound: the guitar is gorgeously raw, flitting between harsh power chords and sharp riffs, while the rhythm section – gigantic basslines and pounding bass-and-snare drumming – drives the songs with aplomb. This is an accomplished, cohesive work worthy of more than the meagre attention it received last time around. Time will tell…