I came across this band in a music review from Anthony Fantano, aka the needledrop. He has a great, eclectic taste in music, and the fact that he gave Iceage's album, Plowing through the Fields of Love a 9/10 was more than enough for me to want to check them out.
The first song I heard from them was the title track of that album, and Jesus Christ, I have seldom heard anything so dreary, so Shakespearean in texture. The lead singer's voice may not be technically apt, or even pleasing to the ear, but the emotion he pours into the track was undeniable and infectious. As soon as I finished the track, I had to replay it. That's what happens when I can't quite place why I like a track so much. The instrumentation is great throughout, with unexpected horns popping up in the middle, and the way the percussion accompanies Elias' voice is quite excellent. But at the time, I wasn't as into emo music as I am now, and I had no idea why I liked the tone of the track.
I immediately began an excursion into the album, the band's discography, the band's story, etc. I listened to an interview by Elias, and as a college student, I found the what he had to say so exciting, so inspiring.
Here was a band that seemed like it had a total disregard for the universe surrounding it. Their debut, New Brigade, was so raw, so passionate, and yet there were flaws all over the thing. The cracked voice. The mistimed drum beats. It was like you were seeing your local, amateur high school band playing at times and yet... something about it was just so damn captivating.
I guess in a musical landscape where so much rock music has been made and there are so many reference points to draw from, it's refreshing to see the kind of honesty and originality Iceage place in their music. There are fingerprints of artists like Nick Cave and maybe early Stooges, but I have yet to hear a band quite like Iceage.
I think they will, over time, become sort of a transcendental punk rock band. Just like some hip hop heads love the Beatles despite not liking rock music, I have showed many of my friends who don't listen to rock at all and they actually loved Iceage! Whether it's how aesthetically pleasing the people playing the music are, or how dark and foreign they manage to sound, there is something outside of the genre that magnetically pulls people and will continue to pull people to their music.
It's hard to describe Elias' voice. I have heard everything from European with speech impediment, or a fire breathing dragon who learned English. But to me, he has this perfect outsider voice. And this band has, personally, particularly helped me when I was feeling lonely.
It's not all despair and darkness, though. For all their nihilistic longings, Iceage can make a life-affirming rock n roll tune like the best of them. If you don't believe me, take a listen to The Lord's Favorite, a country rock tune so catchy, Johnny Cash would be proud. On the other end of the spectrum, cuts like Against the Moon and Morals are slow-burners that will have you reaching for your nearest tissue box.
Bottom line is, these guys are well-dressed, well-spoken, and I presume well-read punk rockers who I will continue to follow closely. If you like bands like Mineral, Sunny Day Real Estate, Brand New, early Nick Cave, are into punk/emo music, or hell, even if you're into some great indie rock, this should be right up your alley.
Also, new album hype in 2018.
It sounds pretty good. Thanks for sharing it, I've got some new music to listen to! :D