Dave Chamberlain

Rarely has a band so young done so much in such a short time. Formed in D.C., the trio that makes up Dead Meadow (Jason Simon, Steve Kille, Mark Laughlin) originally mashed together the heaviest of the heavies: Black Sabbath, Zeppelin, Blue Cheer, etc. The band's eponymous release on Tolotta Records in 2001--and indeed, its live show as well--did just that to modernized perfection. But these guys didn't stop there (although they could have, a la Nebula, and still done pretty well for themselves), as evidenced by three more records, culminating in last year's "Shivering King and Others." At times lulling and building, and at other times revealing musical brevity that you'd never imagine the band had in it, "Shivering" is the record on which Dead Meadow finds itself. Sure the heavy, crushing low end is still there, but it's no longer derivative in the least. Meadow even incorporated a couple acoustic numbers, "Heaven" and "Good Moanin'", that don't disrupt the band's conscious flow of atmospheric soul and meaty songwriting. The band's absolute discovery of a unique sound reminds me of Chicago's own 90 Day Men; though the bands travel in different vehicles, both also exhausted their influences and found a way to make said influences a part of what they've become instead of the focal point. Meadow, like 90 Day Men, plays heady stuff, but it's just as able to scorch a crowd as any heavy music out there right now.

Dead Meadow plays July 11 at the Bottom Lounge, 3206 North Wilton, (773)975-0505.

(2004-07-06)

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