Rockin' Our Turntable: The Living Things

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 17, 2009 8:05PM

The advance word on The Living Things' Habeas Corpus had us a tad worried, since a snippet we heard of lead single "Let It Rain" seemed to indicate the St. Louis-based foursome might be headed down more radio frienfdly terrain via a softening sound. While it is true that "Let It Rain" is the closest thing to a power ballad the band has ever penned, it's not exactly a wave your Bic in the air style tearjerker. Instead it thrusts the band's always present penchant for melody to the forefront, along it to bounce along on a tight rope of melancholy joy beofre erupting in a shroud created by an army of distorted guitars.

Elesewhere on the album the band cranks the engine into overdrive most of the time with songs like the hard charging opener "Brass Knuckles," the sneering groove of "Merceded Marxist" walking in lockstep with the template set forth on the band's impressive 2005 release, Ahead of the Lions. It its best, The Living Things infuse '70s glam swagger with the punch of latter day amps and stacks supplying sound waves cruising far past "11."

The group takes a certain glee in delivering their heartfelt lyrical attacks; their songs do strive to say something without relying too heavily on cliched rock and/or roll notions. Even at their angriest, say on the verbal lashing delivered by the judgmental "Cost Of Living," the mob vocal surges along as equal part party head banger and lyrical condemnation. The Living Things have strong beliefs, but they deliver them in a volley of sugared aural ammunition we find quite delightful.