Questions & Impulses
Self-Released, 2020
9/10
Listen to Questions & Impulses
An impressive trio from Chicago who remind us of the sounds coming out of Seattle in the early ‘90s, but who also might own records by The Beach Boys and Iggy Pop, Ultimately Fruitless bring an eclectic and exciting brand of modern rock to this easily embraceable album.
“How To Be The Life Of The Party” starts the listen with driving guitars as melodic alt-rock enters a very enticing opener, and “Hazy Sunday” follows with some chunky basslines as contemporary indie-rock flows with a hypnotic quality that indeed gets a bit dreamy.
At 15 tracks there’s much to take in here, but the band keep the scene varied, with the grunge nods of the playful “Cornflower Blue”, while “Big Wave” dips its toes into charged surf rock territory. “Things I Claim To Have Read In Books” then tips its hat to garage rock, with a dynamic and propulsive landscape that could fill stadiums.
As we get towards the end, “Fall” pounds swiftly with fantastic drumming alongside a more abrasive execution, and “Somethingtown” exits the listen some with minor post-punk influence amid a busy, buzzing formula.
A band who are very much in tune with some of the best facets of rock’n’roll from the last 3 decades, don’t let their self-deprecating name fool you, cause this is some first rate, guitar fueled rock you won’t forget anytime soon.
Travels well with: Albert Hammond Jr.- Momentary Masters; Black Rebel Motorcycle Club- Specter At The Feast