Review Summary: Snailbones, a Portland-based trio, excels in the noiserock genre with their 2022 album "Keelhaul ‘Em All," showcasing a diverse mix of grunge and alternative rock, highlighted by their standout track "Dead Inside."
Portland based trio Snailbones has already established itself as a worthy follower of noiserock heritage from the masterminds like Jawbreaker, Mudhoney and God Bullies.
2023 marks the year of releasing Erroneus Harmonius, but its predecessor from 2022 – Keelhaul ‘Em All – is my personal favourite that highlights the bands signature grunge/alternative sound, that the band shaped perfectly in this longplay.
The album kicks off with no formal introduction, just straightforward guitar slashing with muffed tones and nervous vocals.
It all builds up to Dead Inside, the gem of this LP. It features the best underground features and pop songwriting skills of Snailbones – rock and roll riffs and sleazy hooks really go well together.
After that the album presents more diverse numbers from the wider grunge landscape and alternative rock standards with slower and more melodramatic songs (Sweet and Serene, Floating). Still Keelhaul Em All is not a stranger to more aggressive in-your-face bangers (Dissension) with the decent amount of screaming. Break Apart The Day is wrapped around the female vocal line that reinvents the golden era of female fronted grunge bands. All this combo makes Snailbones a great choice to see live, an excellent performer and entertainer.
Altogether this release is a solid work from a band that really knows what it’s doing – and enjoys it; a steady flow of riffs and melodies for every imaginable mood that an artist might convey. As far as Snailbones keep doing what they do, one can be sure we are about to hear more and more quality rocking.
