Free Blood

The Singles

[3.5/5]

The writhing punk-funk imprint of John Pugh’s old band, !!!, is all over Free Blood. Wedded to churning drum ’n’ bass rhythms, sampled detritus litters the background of the Brooklyn-based band’s grimy, experimental clatter. The woofer-collapsing throb has a footprint big enough to knock you off your feet and a colorful manner more lively and felicitous than a gay-pride parade. The pulse is so brazen and unabashed, you can barely resist getting all A Night At The Roxbury with it. Indeed, the only complaint is The Singles is over too quickly. There are only six tracks and five less-than-intriguing remixes, whose additional length tends to dramatically diminish the original’s in-your-face impact. The disc is highlighted by the scratchy, cacophonous “Quick And Painful” and the smoky, bottom-heavy cabaret strut “Never Hear Surf Music Again.” Serve on an LCD Soundsystem, and don’t forget the PBR. (RONG/DFA) Chris Parker