(Timberyard/Shock)

Promising Sydney garage psych

Gun$ is the debut EP from Sydney psychedelic garage rockers Warhorse. It's all overdrive-saturated guitar and motorik-style drums, evoking The Stooges, Can and early Brian Jonestown Massacre. The five tracks presented are concise and structured for immediate impact. Melodic hooks are layered liberally, and though they feel tired at times, they facilitate a compelling downer vibe. The lead guitar can be irksome, like during the intro of closer Skeletor. The initial lick is simple and perfect, but then descends into an awkward stumble of notes, before repeating the whole phrase three more times. Elsewhere, like throughout Bear In The Big City, it is skilfully restrained, complementing the rhythm with stabs of sound, and breaking out between the vocal delivery for maximum impact. The lyrics and articulation are sometimes clumsy, but again add to the booze-addled aesthetic. For instance, half-sung, the second verse of Saigon ends: It's not like I need brain surgery / It's not like I need brain surgery / Brain surgery / Brain surgery ... channelling the repetitious mantra of an over-stimulated mind. It accompanies the steady drive of the rhythm section, who steal the show more than once (the drums especially on Gun Rack), and reinforce the notion that Warhorse are a band best seen live. The EP isn't perfect, but as a first document it's a strong statement of intent, and I'm excited to see where the band take their sound in the future. Show much promise, they do.

JAKEB SMITH

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