Quasi

American Gong (Kill Rock Stars)

Quasi’s eighth studio album sees the permanent addition of touring bassist Joanna Bolme from the Jicks. The result is a bigger sound from the Portland, Ore., lo-fi indie rockers, and the best evidence of this bulked-up aesthetic is epic “Bye Bye Blackbird.” What starts out as vague guitar noodling and Sam Coomes’ intoning the song’s signature chant (the intro sounds eerily like Tripping Daisy’s “I Got a Girl”) builds into a tremendous wall of sound – Janet Weiss’ thundering drums, guitar, big big vox, and yet more drums! Opener “Repulsion” chugs appropriately, “Death Is Not the End” haunts, and “Rockabilly Party” dips a toe into the pool of Americana with the added sneer of electric guitar. Ultimately, this is Weiss’ album, with nearly every song showcasing her ability to play the master technician, the muscular soloist, and the mother of all timekeepers. (Fri., 11pm, Antone’s.)

***.5

This article appears in March 19 • 2010.

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