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Hot Snakes // Jericho Sirens
As good as ever, the return of Hot Snakes is a welcome one
March 28, 2018 at 12:30 PM
Hot Snakes
Jericho Sirens
Sub Pop
4.25/5 Stars
For those unfamiliar with the work of either Rick Froberg or John Reis, Hot Snakes' sound might hit you like a ton of bricks. In fact, the vicious, metallic, overdriven sound is likely to do that either way. The band almost has its own language of music, a fully-defined onslaught of kinetic energy that never holds back. It's the band's fluency that allows for such an articulated attack, and it's a welcome feeling that truly gets the blood flowing. This kind of connection makes perfect sense, as Froberg and Reis have been playing together for over 30 years. The two are responsible for influential bands like Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu, while Reis found much-deserved success as the frontman for Rocket From the Crypt. Hot Snakes formed in 1999, and have laid dormant since 2004. Both musicians remained preoccupied during that time, Reis with the Night Marchers and Froberg with Obits. From the opening downbeats of "I Need a Doctor" to the final riffs of "Death of a Sportsman," Jericho Sirens is completely cohesive. As good as ever, the return of Hot Snakes is a welcome one.
— Nick Warren