The Hard Quartet – The Hard Quartet

 

 

The Hard Quartet – The Hard Quartet
Matador – 2024
Rock, Alternative, Indie, Postpunk, Garage, Stoner
Rated: ****

They claim it’s a band… But I fear it’s another damn fine project which will probably not live that very long. One album, one tour? Maybe two? Highly doubtful. Cause the four members involved all have their other projects as well and probably see this little ditty as a fun thing on the side. Presenting themselves as The Hard Quartet we have Stephen Malkmus, Matt Sweeney, Emmett Kelly and Jim White. A project born during the pandemic but only came to fruition later because, as we already mentioned, the four have their other bands and projects as well. Pavement, Superwolves, Chavez, The Cairo Gang, Ty Segall, Dirty Three being their main ones, but the list is much longer. On The Hard Quartet they dance between those bands and they only seem to be really ‘hard’ whenever they do some fuzz rocking in songs like opener Chrome Mess, following Earth Hater or Renegade. All three written by Malkmus and echoing other albums he’s been involved with. Probably rubbing off the most on the sound, but still, the muddle of it all has this groovy kind of punk esthetic. And when a song like Killed By Death gives off weird miniscule echoes of Oh! Sweet Nuthin', a song by another short lived project called $10,000 Gold Chain, you've got my vote. Some roots, some alternative rock and country, a bit of postpunk, some fuzz, garage and a hint of stonerrock. A jumble, a mess, loose and probably very freeing. It must have been a blast recording this album.

(Written by JK)

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