Review Summary: Harnessing nostalgia
Few bands can claim to have accidentally helped shape a genre, but Quicksand are one of them. Emerging from NYC's hardcore scene, 1993's
Slip, and to a lesser extend 1995's
Manic Compression, became an underground blueprint for what would eventually be labelled 'post-hardcore'. This release marks the point where the band have now released more albums post-reunion than during their original run.
While their other reunion albums went in a more polished, 'mature' and expansive direction,
Bring On The Psychics is a deliberate throwback to the gritty, urgent sound of their '90s work. It's a riff-first record, packed with muscular guitars and a sense of forward momentum that makes it an effortlessly fun listen. Opener
"Get To It" gets right to it and sets the pace that stays high, and even token stripped down quasi-ballad
"Days To Run To" keeps the nostalgic vibes flowing. The song-writing is very much rooted in the 90s hardcore scene, which for the most part is timeless (
"Regenerate"), but on occasion can feel a tad dated (
"Cool Guy"). The riffs on this carry a lot of the load, particularly on highlights like
"Super Collider" and the more dynamic title track, but the performances from all 3 members are strong, this is a band who sound very much alive and energised.
Fans expecting more of the colour of Quicksand's previous reunion albums may find this album comparatively straightforward, but that's also part of its appeal for me.
Bring On The Psychics definitely isn't trying to reinvent the game, if anything it's an intentional look back at a previous era. It's no-nonsense gritty, riff-heavy post-hardcore that celebrates a style Quicksand helped popularise. It's 90s nostalgia without feeling *entirely* reductive, packed with riffs for the skate park and enough energy to prove these vets still have gas left in the tank.
Score: ★★★3/4
Highlights: Get To It, Regenerate, Crystalize, Super Collider, Cool Guy, Bring On The Physics
FFO: Helmet, Fugazi, '90s nostalgia from those who were actually there
