Lab Partners Master The Waves (Of Sound)

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 26, 2010 5:40PM

Lab Partners are the last band we expected to hear on local label Pravda Records since they're better known for releasing Chicago-based power-pop and jokester rock like The New Duncan Imperials. Lab Partners, out of Dayton, fall into neither of those categories. Instead they hit the distortion pedal hard and conjure up thick waves of melodic shoegaze that owes much of its existence to both The Jesus And Mary Chain and Spiritualized. Their most recent album is aptly titled Moonlight Music since it's easy to envision the band playing against the speckled backdrop of a midnight ocean surging and swirling behind them.

There's definitely been a resurgence of folks playing this style of rock and/or roll, but Lab Partners have been at it for over a decade so they pull it off with grace and restraint. Many of the new generation of shoegazers seem to think cranking the volume and fuzzing up the chords is enough, but Lab Partners are pros so they know the value of allowing melody into the mix. They sculpt their sound to it engulfs you instead of assaulting you. Being in the middle of the maelstrom is strangely soothing, slightly moody experience.

Lab Partners plays tonight, March 26, at Quenchers, 2401 N Western, 9 p.m., $5 suggested donation, 21+