Tom Lynch

Arks, fronted by local graphic novelist Paul Hornschemeier, mix damp Brit-pop with space-out death marches and matches early influences from Joy Division to Sonic Youth to create an experimental noise landscape--cold, dark and dreary. Arks take advantage of utter darkness, and the band's recent EP, "Or Else It's Not There," consistently throws mood into your eyes like stinging grains of sand. While the vocals stay relatively low in the mix leading to an unavoidable droning, the reverbed-and delayed-guitars and the thunder beats drive with force, like a better-recorded and louder Duster, and the air whips around your brain with absurd, clustered punches. Arks find originality in its determination to frighten the audience with nightmarish guitar-soaring, and with effects pedals put to intelligent use, it could be one of the most interesting shows of the year. This is the music an astronaut hears in his head when he's separated from his ship, floating endlessly into the darkness, alone, scared and waiting for help that may never come.

Arks play August 12 at the Bottom Lounge, 3206 North Wilton, (773)975-0505. (2005-08-09)

Also by Tom Lynch

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Soundcheck
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Fiction Review
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Tip of the Week
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Tip of the Week
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(2005-06-28)

Fiction Review
(2005-06-28)

Tip of the Week
(2005-06-24)

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