Tusk

The Resisting Dreamer

[3.5/5]

Tusk are better than Pelican. That’s a weird statement to make, given the bands are basically the same (three-fourths of Pelican are also in Tusk), but the music they make is much more vibrant and alive here than within the context of their more recognized project. The presence of vocals isn’t really the kicker; they’re basically uttered in a flat bark, anyway, and the lyrics aren’t what you’d call profound. Nor are Tusk a more efficient delivery mechanism, despite their claims to grindcore-hood (which are bullshit, by the way-there’s plenty of arty prog, though, and some moments on “Life’s Denial” sound like Esoteric or Xasthur). The shortest track on this disc is six minutes long, and the closing number passes the 16-minute mark. But it fascinates throughout, which is more than City Of Echoes can claim. (TORTUGA) Phil Freeman