Self Defense Family // Have You Considered Punk Music?

Self Defense Family

Have You Considered Punk Music?

Run For Cover Records

4/5 Stars

Have You Considered Punk Music? "Have You Considered Anything Else?" These are among the questions Patrick Kindlon, the ever-provocative if slightly ostentatious ringleader of post-punk collective Self Defense Family, would like to ask you. On the band's aforementioned third album, Kindlon sounds tired and distressed, a far cry from the fiery musings about infidelity on their debut, Try Me, and an extension of 2015's western-tinged follow-up, Heaven is Earth. In line with their persona and in true meta fashion, much of Have You Considered Punk Music? is comprised of songs about songs ­— allowing art to challenge you, art as entertainment, and coming to terms with the politically venomous world around you. "You can't crawl your way back to reasonable; you have to swing violently to the other side, which as it turns out isn't violent at all, but mild and neutral and bland," recites Kindlon at the end of the album's title track. In the past, these sorts of diatribes would have been accompanied by chaotic and distorted guitars, but here, the band displays more restraint, even showcasing a new predilection for keyboards on highlight "Watcher at the Well." — Aaron Mook