Apache Beat: Last Chants

Apache Beat
Last Chants
Babylon/Beverly Martel Records [2010]









Fire Note Says: Band has potential to live up to the "Next Big Thing" hype!

Album Review:
New York's Apache Beat have a sound that has been described as a musical blend of Roxy Music with a touch of the Pixies, while jumping in and out of genres, such as Krautrock and new wave. I think they fit somewhere in all of that but their debut Last Chants, definitely could be categorized as avant-rock. The band shifts styles quickly and never really settles on just one sound because not only do they like to shake up the song structures, they also flip back n forth with male and female lead vocals. What can be said, is that regardless of song styles, Apache Beat have a knack for keeping the listener on the edge of their seat without offering too many stand out chorus lines. The band relies on different instruments, noises and tempos to keep things flowing on Last Chants plus the album has an excellent production and mixing from Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Swans) and John Agnello (The Walkmen, Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth). Apache Beat may not be your new favorite band upon first listen but give Last Chants several spins before you dismiss them because I guarantee you will be going back to the super catchy "Let It Go" and "Tropics" before you know it. Apache Beat does not pull off the musical magic connections throughout its 43 minute running time but Last Chants is a strong debut, that shows true promise for a band that has already opened shows for School Of Seven Bells, Gossip, Deerhunter, Crystal Castles, Les Savy Fav and We Are Scientists.

Key Tracks: "Let It Go", "Tropics", "Fear Of Falling"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Neon Indian
PJ Harvey
Crystal Castles

Apache Beat MySpace
Apache Beat Facebook
Beverly Martel Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony