Loaf arches into maturity with 'Trash' masterpiece

Chapel Hill's Archers of Loaf features tough drumming, intricate guitar playing, emotional, but not always in tune vocals and powerful lyrics.

"White Trash Heroes" marks the band's growth and proverbial spiral into musical depression. Compared to past albums, "White Trash Heroes" is not as jumpy or up-beat, yet the new record does feature a variety of vocal and instrumental experiments.

Taking some listeners by surprise, Archers of Loaf lead singer, Eric Bachman, does a pretty good Marilyn Mason/Chris Cornell impression, screaming the lyrics to "Banging on a Head Drum."

Traveling to the other side of the vocal spectrum, Bachman tries to tune up for "Dead Red Eyes" and "Slick Tricks and Bright Lights." At times, he sounds as sweet a song bird, but on the really high notes, Bachman's voice resembles Adam Sandler's, attempting to reach a ridiculously lofty octave.

Bachman's most powerful vocal performance is on the last two songs - "After the last laugh" and the title track "White Trash Heroes" - where his deep, judgmental voice recalls the profound resonance of Depeche Mode frontman David Gahan.

Although some of the album's lyrics are not always decipherable, Archers of Loaf's slightly melancholy, but contemplative sincerity challenges listeners to stop and focus on Bachman's words, especially on "After the Last Laugh," the Archers tell a cynical story of a beerhall. "Way after the last laugh has swollen itself shut/ and all that's left are true beerhall drunks."

Archers of Loaf
White Trash Heroes Alias 3 1/2 stars Reviewed by Daily Arts Writer Jewel Gopwani

On each of its previous albums, Archers of Loaf's guitar work stands out most vividly and "White Trash Heroes" is no exception. Eerie in some places and gritty in others, guitarists Eric Johnson's and Bachman's musicianship is easily translated into tangible greatness. On "Fashion Bleeds," the guitars plead for attention with high-pitched sounds that bounce off of Mark Price's summoning drums.

On "Smokers in Love," the instrumental track takes listeners through a bad dream. Matt Gentling initially slaps an up-beat bass lick to engender a rollicking state of confusion, which is finally resolved as the track slows down to its original pace.

Collaborating with technology on "One Slight Wrong Move," Archers of Loaf includes a computerized chorus. Featuring grooved out keyboard work, the band goes '70s on this track with just the right amount of Loaf distortion.

Archers of Loaf has never been a band to stalk trends. Instead it is one to expand and grow with versatility. Hopefully "White Trash Heroes" won't be the last time these four guys let listeners in on their musical maturity.

09-22-98