Album Review: 'Movies' by the Stripminers

Movies
The Stripminers
Suckerpunch Records

Doing a Wikipedia search for the Stripminers brings up no results related to the slick rock group led by Brett Anderson (of the Donnas) and Paul Stinson (of the Radishes). That is really a shame too, because more people should get to know about the band’s terrific sound.

The band’s full-length debut album “Movies” features plenty of slow rock jams as well as a good mix of more punk-driven tracks and even some alt-country-influenced songs. But the album is a bit of an anomaly in that it is currently only available in limited vinyl or digital formats.

Each song on the 10-track album feels different from each other while still maintaining a consistent rock sound. The one phrase that best summarizes “Movies” would be “widely influenced.”

There are some clearly punk songs like “You Make Dyin’ Fun,” which features a quick, cymbal-filled drumbeat with heavy guitar riffs. Meanwhile, tracks like “Predator” show the band’s ability to slow things down and fill up space with some seemingly heartfelt vocals.

Then there are songs like “Better Than a Song,” which lets a little bit of a country tinge bleed through in somewhat twangy guitar lines. Other tracks, such as “Poison in the Paint,” form a perfect combination of different genres, leaving them quite a bit tougher to categorize.

A real standout track is the last song ““ and the title track ““ “Movies,” which wanders into an almost pop-rock-esque realm, with some catchy verses and catchier guitar lines.

Where the album really shines though is in its ability to feel unified despite the range of rock subgenres that it explores. The record feels almost like a logical tour of different kinds of rock “˜n’ roll music, with every song being a pleasant stop along the way.

As far as technical skill, there is no doubt that every musician on the album is a master at his or her chosen craft. What is even more amazing is that each of these musicians really coerce into a comfortable whole. Drums, keyboards, bass, guitar and vocals always manage to flow together into expertly crafted songs.

The only problem with the album is that, clocking in at just less than 31 minutes, it feels a little short and leaves the listener wanting more. Other than that, for as wide-ranging of an album it is, it definitely remains firmly within the genre of rock “˜n’ roll, so fans of that musical category might not find much that appeals to them.

That being said, for those who do enjoy some good rock, “Movies” represents a bold first step for the Stripminers and a good time for its listeners. This is one band to keep an eye on, but while waiting for future releases, “Movies” will more than satisfy.