Preoccupations

Flemish Eye/Jagjaguwar

On this day in 2016. Formerly known as 'Viet Cong', this self-titled album is the bands sophomore project and first release under the Preoccupations name. The leaders of modern post-punk - poster boys if you will. Two of Preoccupations members, Matthew Flegel and Michael Wallace, were also members of Calgary's finest music export 'Women'.

The music is as cold as ice. Chilling. Glacial. Winter weather whipped up and blasted through rock characteristics.
The notorious chill in Calgary's air comes through in the material. Preoccupations squeeze the niceties of everyday human existence of their life and vibrancy. Everything is coated with a monotone, grey-scale plaster. Heavy energy radiates from its core, anything in its path will feel its pull. It has the ability to rinse a room of its warmth.

Outside of 'Death', the final track on the first Viet Cong/Preoccupations record, Stimulation has to be my personal pick for my favourite track of theirs. The guitarwork is stellar. Listen after listen and it still catches you off guard. Capricious in nature it remains fresh after many returns. I guess that's what separates the good from the great - return/replay value. The longest track on the album 'Memory' features guest vocals from Dan Boeckner of Wolf Parade. An 80's feel can be found throughout the albums runtime. If someone told me that this came out in 81/82 my mind wouldn't skim for deceit.

Pat Flegel - brother of bassist Matt Flegel, former member of Women and currently performs under the moniker of Cindy Lee - takes up art duties. The artwork has a mechanical, cold look to it and partners the material effortlessly.

If you're looking for a contemporary act with the classic feel of early post-punk's despondent, callous character, these guys are it. Here's to hoping new material will find its way along our paths sometime soon.

"Loneliness arrive by satellite, on time"

September 16th, 2016.