Cincinnati quintet Wussy loves its drones—its Velvets, Feelies and Sonic Youths—as much as its Beatles, Stones and Who. Nevertheless, it’s still something of a surprise to hear “Dropping Houses,” the opening track of Wussy album number six, where waves of pulsing, noisy ri ffs practically drown out Chuck Cleaver and Lisa Walker’s vocals.
It almost seems counterintuitive for the two lyricists, who long ago mastered the art of a devastating turn of phrase. But Forever Sounds’ strength is in its emphasis on the sound of the band, echoing its increasingly confi dent, assured live show. Wussy makes a glorious racket on the likes of “Donny’s Death Scene” and “Hello, I’m A Ghost.” (Did I mention this album’s kinda dark?) And the group still knows how to let the lines sting, on the likes of “Majestic-12” and “She’s Killed Hundreds,” which sounds like Tom Petty’s “Refugee” with lyrics by Flannery O’Connor.
—Michael Pelusi
