A Place To Bury Strangers Unearths New Sound

Still hidden from the mainstream media is a band that completely redefines the way electronica elements and rock can be blended. A Place to Bury Strangers takes psychedelic rock to a whole new level with their first LP. They even opened for Nine Inch Nails’ tour already, which seems an obvious outcome for this band. Though, they can’t really compare to Trent Reznor’s methodically chaotic sound, because their methods stand firm from their inventive roots.

TuneCore, a revolutionary music distribution company, has recognized that A Place to Bury Strangers (APTBS) holds a unique sound. Their self-titled release garnished the award of “Best Rock Album” from TunCore. Slowly, but surely, people seem to take notice of what APTBS has to offer modern rock.

Oliver Ackermann, guitarist and singer, displays his inventive use of guitar pedals. Ackermann founded an effects pedal company, Death By Audio, which specializes in making customized pedals to order. Jonathan "Jono MOFO" Smith, bassist, never overpowers a song with his deep grooves, but gracefully compliments the overall quality. Jay Space, drummer, plays a very electronica style of dream beats that suits the accompanying instrumentation well. This NYC based band completely explodes their sound through a power-trio.

Throughout the album there are songs from various palettes. This creates a very satisfying feel to the album. Each song feels like a progression through the album and creates an encompassing tone quality. There are downtempo beats on some songs, while others have a lively tempo full of fuzz-filled force.



“To Fix The Gash In Your Head” is the first single off the album and it captures a lot of what APTBS encompasses. The techno drumbeat in the beginning leads you in the soundscape of sweeping fuzz driven guitar sound. Once the chorus kicks in, with Ackermann’s lightly echoed vocals, the trance-like state of APTBS is felt. The song sounds aggressive without being overly aggressive in tempo and never really slows down till the sudden stop.

“Ocean” progresses slower, but really shows all the dynamics and potential of APTBS. The steady drum beat is perfectly suited for the song and nothing is overdone in this song. Everything seems to fall sonically into place. With “Ocean” being the longest on the album it is properly placed as the climatic ending.

Some songs do seem a little rough on the edges, such as “Another Step Away,” which just didn’t progress properly and the over-echoed tinny vocals become a little draining. “Don’t Say Lover” also seemed to not have fully blossomed to the final tone it could have reached.

As a whole, the album seems laid out right and doesn’t stretch on for too long. An overall gritty and raw feel is captured, but some of the instrumentation can have a gentle and eerie push. There tends to be a distant dance quality to some of the songs as well, but often the vocal levels should have been raised.

A Place to Bury Strangers truly crafts a unique sound that is best to be heard and not explained. Their album can be purchased from Killer Pimp Records, or can be downloaded from iTunes.