Purling Hiss: Voices (Single, 2011)

Philadelphia's Purling Hiss do snarled guitar rock so well that they almost seem like a concept project about shredding. Infectious as they can be, the song structures on their first two LPs were minimal to the point of hard rock caricature, and always seemed more of a frame for Mike Polizze's unchained, stream-of-consciousness guitar acrobatics than focal points in themselves. "Voices" a track from the band's new six-track EP on Mexican Summer, sees the frontman wielding his axe in more of an ornamental spirit, sketching bluesy curlicues above a hulking power chord progression and some lackadaisically delivered lyrics about not wanting to be alone, not wanting to be stoned, and not wanting to go home. Sounds like we're arriving at the eye of the Purling Hiss storm, and discovering some true-blue songcraft. --Emilie Friedlander, Visitation Rites

MP3: Purling Hiss: "Voices"