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| The New York City avant-rock group Zs has spun off a bewildering array of fascinating experimental bands, perhaps none more idiosyncratic than guitarist Charlie Looker's group Extra Life. While Zs are known for angular, almost academic experiments in composition and pure noise, Extra Life chart a much more accessible course, one that involves memorable melodies and a liberal dose of vocals. "Charlie writes the hits," a fellow member of Zs said before Looker's departure from that band — and this penchant for more accessible songcraft is on full display on Secular Works. The album kicks off with its best track. "Blackmail Blues" sets the bar very high indeed, with the entire band indulging in an intricate workout whose interlocking rhythms remind of nothing so much as King Crimson's "Discipline." The vocals are melodic, oddly detached, and sung in a flat tone that seems to have roots in the monophonic chants of Western early music. If there's an art to writing an avant-garde rock song that also embraces the best of popular music — accessibility, fun, tunefulness — with "Blackmail Blues" Extra Life prove themselves very good songwriters indeed. Unfortunately, things drop off a bit after this fabulous opener. Only "The Refrain" is as breezily catchy, an upbeat rocker that would probably be popular on hipster mix tapes if only Extra Life were on the indie-rock radar. The lengthy "I'll Burn" is far more sparse, but reveals considerable rewards to the careful listener; individual notes ring out at precise — if somewhat unpredictable — intervals, providing a compelling framework for Looker's heartfelt vocals. The relatively lack of complexity here highlights Looker's subtly beautiful vocal melodies; the similarly long and sparse "This Time" doesn't far nearly as well simply because it lacks the same level of melodicism. Finally, the closer "Bled White" is an a cappella piece that would work quite well if it weren't for some dubious lyrics — hearing Looker croon about "red tights/red tights/tremulous thighs/spreading like wings in flight" is rather jarring. These flaws aside, I find Secular Works a more than worthwhile listen for its highlights — at their best, Extra Life have crafted an accessible avant-rock that should have a broad appeal among fans of prog, RIO, indie-rock and more. Should future efforts by this group have a little more consistency, they could fast become one of my favorite bands. review by Brandon Wu — 9-7-08 —
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