Golden Triangle: Double Jointer

Golden Triangle is an all-girl group who deal in lo-fi garage rock, but let’s hold off on piling them in with the likes of Vivian Girls, or with any other quick trend for that matter. Because while Golden Triangle may line up with what’s popular in indie rock these days, what they’re doing on Double Jointer is something worth noticing, and holding onto long after and trend has passed. Yes, these songs echo and hiss with low fidelity, but the girls don’t use that to leave the songs awash in a haze of dulled chords. Instead, Golden Triangle cut through the gauze with tight licks, and sharp vocal melodies. “Blood and Arrow” spins on a Twilight Zone-like guitar riff, and thundering drums drive home the sinister mood. Right after it, though, the girls shake off the dark with the churning rock of “Neon Noose”.

The record is full of tight rock songs, but these ladies really distinguish themselves when they stretch out. “Eyes to See” builds slowly on clustered up chords, thumping along hard until your neck tenses from banging your head along with it for five minutes. Closer “Arson Welles” show them leaving on their highest note. Their vocals are at their most full-throated and arresting, and creaking guitars tangle with each other and surround noodling keys until the whole thing is a churning fog of sound, each instrument rising up and baying like a banshee until the next overpowers it. Double Jointer is a success all the way through. It’s got variety, energy, and deep hooks to spare. Trends be damned, these girls aren’t going anywhere.