Since By Man - We Sing the Body Electric

Since the mid-‘90s, hardcore has been overhauled. From Antioch Arrow and the Swing Kids to Botch and Converge, the genre’s now a battleground where brutality and bar raising have become expected. Since By Man is a quality – if still musically immature – acquisition to hardcore’s genre-bending nature as each of the four aforementioned bands weigh in heavily in their musical bibliography. Since By Man showcase their ability to warp hardcore dynamics with sassy melodic punches and groove-driven breakdowns, but this young outfit simply hasn’t harnessed the means to reach their desired end quite yet. We Sing the Body Electric is an ambitious debut with its vision set on the stars, but they barely make it to the other side of the street. Still, the results of brilliance punch through at certain moments on their debut disc. The intense and appropriately named “Push the Panic” instigate both raised fists and raised blood pressure with steamrolling rhythms, manic scream/sing vocals and guitars that slice your speakers with a sole exposure. Also, the almost funky “What’s Your Damage” is the best incarnation of sass and power, singing and musical muscle. Amidst the dizzying hardcore numbers and bruising hate-rock anthems, “Death of Decadence” and particularly “In Threes” offer angular tranquility and a sensitive side to the jagged edge and sharp stabs of buzzing guitar chords, sassy screams and chest-thumping drum stomps. Since By Man have the heart and the inspiration – now all they need is the time and experience to appropriately reveal themselves with their true talent. But, still, they’re the best band from my home state of Wisconsin – much better than Shirley Manson from Garbage and, well, my state’s other musical garbage. [www.sincebyman.com]