Montreal-based band DISHPIT delivers an unparalleled post-punk sound in their first LP, “DIPSHIT.” The album, which was produced by Steve Albini—producer for Pixies, Nirvana, PJ Harvey and The Breeders—was released on March 12.
The album cultivates a grunge sound with its heavy rhythm section and untamed vocals, yet there are aspects to the album that set it apart from the grunge-punk of the past.
An element of chaos is central to all of the songs on the record. Haunting lead vocals move from one register to another in accompaniment with shrill singing in the background, sinister bass lines, fast-paced drum beats and wild electric guitar riffs. Even with the chaotic ambiance of the album, none of the songs sound haphazard.
Many of the songs are played in atypical time signatures and spearheaded by rhythm sections. The bass and drums together act as the backbone that unify the songs while also amplifying the record’s fast-paced punk qualities.
The band balances out their tumultuous energy with an acoustic guitar and a slower tempo in songs such as “Get Rich or Die” and “This Time.”
The strategic composition has both punk and grunge elements present in the instrumentation of the songs, and this is amplified by the vocals that accompany them. Lead singer Nora Kelly brings a refreshing take on conventional styles. Kelly has an unmistakable voice whether she is releasing unbridled screams or melodic lines.
Kelly possesses a grunge tone that applies to various registers and styles. In the song “Trash Queen,” Kelly plays into the femme punk sound. This heavily contrasts with her vocals in “Get Rich or Die” in which she opts for slower, more breathy vocals in a lower octave. In these songs, Kelly focuses on a specific range and style. But in the majority of them, she transitions between various registers.
Bassist Jed Stein adds to the vocal uniqueness as she sings in the background of many of the songs. In “Serious,” Stein’s vocals echo Kelly’s as she sings the chorus in a gruff or high pitched way that elevates the rampant energy. Stein and Kelly’s vocals have an interesting relationship, as they harmonize and clash with one another in amplification of the chaos and emotion present.
DISHPIT presents a collection of emotional and idiosyncratic songs on “DIPSHIT” that further establishes the band’s credibility in the post-punk scene and sends them on a trajectory towards success.
