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Sep 03, 2014 Total Control By Mack Hayden

When bands give a genre a much needed shot in the arm, they usually do so by borrowing from one band in particular who made said genre great. This is an even more prevalent tactic when it comes to post-punk. Interpol made its name with Paul Banks’ Ian Curtis impersonation. Even last year, Savages couldn’t escape comparisons to Siouxsie & The Banshees. With all that said, Total Control‘s second record, Typical System, is pretty atypical. Their current status as the post-punk band of the cultural moment isn’t logically preceded by one specific dark-eyed, iconic entity and that’s their greatest strength.

For that matter, it’s false to even classify every song on Typical System as post-punk. “Black Spring” is anchored by a psychedelic riff which makes each of the track’s seven minutes go by like seconds and “Liberal Party” is more Eno/Ferry Roxy Music than it is Joy Division. Even when it comes to the more definably post-punk songs, the influences are spread out. “Systematic Fuck” comes out sounding like early Public Image Ltd. with its shifty riffs, and you can’t hear “2 Less Jacks” without thinking of Total Control’s fellow Australians, The Birthday Party.

Typical System is exciting because it’s a record made by a band whose knowledge of their musical mode’s history is expansive. No matter what your favorite post-punk record is, you’ll hear hints of it here. The fact Total Control still sounds fresh and new also ensures they may even become a new favorite as well. (www.hengebeat.bandcamp.com)

Author rating: 8/10