Poison Arrows - No Known Note
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 12 / 6 / 2017

Label:
File Thirteen Records
Format: CD
intro
Fine return to form from fierce veteran Chicago post rock trio the Poison Arrows on third LP, which is available on vinyl and download only
Singer and guitarist Justin Sinkovich, bassist Patrick Morris (ex Don Cabballero) with Adam Reach on drums - wouldn't it be fabulous if he'd change his name from Adam to Arm? - make up the Poison Arrows. Almost the archetype of a band from the Windy City, the Poison Arrows play in a lower gear than, say, Shellac but while they may be behind in frantic concept they provide a bumpless performance. The cunning 'That Windows Is Closed' shows that their music can be both complex and sophisticated, and merges lots of heft with a sonic dry breeze. The rebellious and bluesy 'Stuck On Screen' - about the digital world - closes off side 1 with vocals from Scott McCloud of Girls Against Boys. Side 2 continues with more great wordplay on 'Derailmentship' about relationships. Part two of the title track of this LP, which has the perfect album title, again sounds like a stream of consciousness poem. The LP closes off with a return to the Poison Arrows' seasoned post rock, and has wonderful little stumbling guitar licks upon which it is if for a flash of a second Sinkovich wanted to play a mariachi tune. 'No Known Note' perhaps could be compared to the many famous jazz club sessions recorded in Chicago as it is easy to spot a similar chemistry. Rehearsals were fruitful as some took only one take and it was mastered by the man behind hundreds of notable LPs, Bob Weston. Affordable in the US but hard to get elsewhere, 'No Known Note' LP begs for a European pressing.
Track Listing:-
1 Augmented Algorithm2 No Known Note (Part II)
3 That Window Is Closed
4 Stuck on Screen
5 Derailmentship
6 Wedding
7 No Known Note (Part I)
8 The First the Last and the First Thing You Need
Band Links:-
http://thepoisonarrows.com/https://www.facebook.com/thepaband/
soundcloud
reviews |
First Class and Forever (2009) |
![]() |
Strong, but somewhat repetitive debut album from angry Chicago-based noise rock outfit, the Poison Arrows |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCarty
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Johnny Cash - Video Vault
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
John Philip Shenale - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Loft - Interview
Vapors - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkIvor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Gabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham - Big Blue Sky
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Shaw's Trailer Park - I Thought I Saw You
Ringo Starr - Look Up
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Leon Bridges - Leon
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart