The website says that NQR is the "new band for Kristian Brenchley (from New York City’s WOMAN and Degreaser, the latter with fellow ex-pat Tim Evans), Denis Leadbeater (S-Bahn) and Maureen Gearon (Baby 8) with the indomitable Ruth McIver (C**ting Daughters) very much out front and centre on vocals."
It comes as a six-track cassette or CD.
The title track opens and it's a kick in the guts, just over two-and-a-half minutes of bitter pop stuffed into a woodchipper.
And the singer gets out:
No more conversation
Time spent
Digital
No more
Conversation
No more chaperones
“Venus de Milo” is a longer piece, a well-constructed earth-mover of a song, smart lyrics - they're clear, moving and sword-like. What makes the songs interesting is that she's singing about women - but not the “stand by your man” or “but I love eeeemmm” type.
“Maritime Pome” (that may be a typo, but it shouldn't be) is a slow slammer straight out of the underground, circa 1986, with McIver sounding a tad Lunch-ish over the top - at this point we pause to take in the (superior to Lunch's) lyrics.
the kelson, the keel
how it builds
how I feel
jib-boom, gunwale
the story, the tale
the head, the bow
the way of knowing
the way I know
forecastle, foremast
NQR are developing, clearly, and I'll say right now that I'd love to see this outfit live. Mostly 'cause the songs are so very different; you can't predict where they'll head next.
“Veronica Lake” takes us in a different direction again... and 'Titanic” slows down the structure of “Raw Power” and takes us ... you've got the idea. Big, tuff, scary gorilla music with more than a bit of thought.
It's on repeat at my place, as it should be at yours.
Oh, just noticed Loki Lockwood of Melbourne’s Spooky Records did the mastering (and if you don't think that's significant, it's not my fault you're deaf).
Also, NQR play for free every Thursday in July at The Tote Front Bar in Melbourne. Come to Adelaide you bastards.
