Salem's Indefinable Sound Wobbles Into Town

By Jake Guidry in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 14, 2011 7:00PM

We'll admit it: we aren't totally sure how we feel about Salem, one of the most talked about young bands of the past year. In fact, we're not even totally sure how to define their pitch-bended, shoegaze-meets-crunk aesthetic, but that's much of the reason the trio have gotten so much attention. They're situated right in the thick of the indefinable genre debate, a debate that drives critics crazy and music fans brimming with curiosity. Whatever your opinion, their tour stop at Empty Bottle tomorrow is still a worthwhile endeavor to put one's growing interest into greater context.

While Salem have been around in some form since 2006, it's their 2010 debut LP, King Night, that has caused lengthy discussion about their artistic merit and quality of music. One might view it as forward-thinking, haunting and lush; others may view it simply as a Gucci Mane album brought down to half-time. One thing for sure is that Salem's three members often come from deep, dark perspectives -- as one might suspect after they titled their 2008 EP, Yes I Smoke Crack- and it makes listening to their music a tough, taxing procedure. Provocative for provocativeness's sake? Probably, but it's that mentality that makes the idea of seeing Salem perform live such an interesting prospect.

Salem plays tomorrow, March 15, at The Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western, 9 p.m., $10, 21+