At this point in my music reviewing career, the ‘90s revival has been going on longer than the original decade did. This has resulted in a slew of sonic copycats, because it is very easy to revisit popular tropes so that your band receives immediate attention without much musical exploration. But those of us who originally lived through it know how stylistically diverse and downright weird things got. As we’ve noticed at this site, some of the outsider acts that received both radio and MTV attention would have never gotten accolades at any other time. At multiple times in that era, the mainstream Top 40 had jam bands, ska, swing, acoustic rock, Brit pop, hip-hop, R&B, and more at the same time.
We need more ‘90s oddities these days, and that’s exactly what I got with LAPêCHE.
The brainchild of Krista Holly Diem and her husband Dave Diem, the quartet creates upbeat yet visceral alternative rock that would have received lots of love on 120 Minutes. On Autotelic, the band showcases brilliant art rock sensibilities without being obtuse, thanks to a keen talent for avoiding melodic cliches and cheap hooks. This ten-song album on Tiny Engines overflows with accessible grooves that resist convenient formula by embracing classy tempo shifts. I am enamored with the brilliant blend of Throwing Muses, The Breeders, Sleater-Kinney, and Sharon Van Etten.
Diem possesses this clear and keening soprano that’s just rough enough around the edges to be more than a pretty voice. Her guitar work with Drew DeMaio ripples and shimmers with a gauzy feel while still conveying some hearty crunch. Dave Diem’s thick bass lines provide quality heft even as they deliver melodic counterpoint flair. Moreover, I love how the pounding, aggressive drumming of Colin Brooks sits so big in the mix. When you also factor in occasional synth patches for some texture, the entire effect reveals a musically tight and locked-in band that still gives the tunes room to breathe.
It helps that I’m a sucker for an impeccable flow in the track listing.
The Brooklyn-based group bursts out of the gate with the one-two punch of “Autotelic Nosebleed” and “Double Knotted.” The record continues that bold energy and depth across “Heart NY” and “Happy 4 U” by never repeating itself style-wise. By refusing to coast on genre familiarity, the band can then dive headlong into “Parallel Park” and “When Are You From” before ending with the fireworks of “Phantom of Cinder.”
The overarching power of Autotelic rests in the strong songwriting and appealing arrangements. LAPêCHE is a perfect band for music fans who love big sounds and even bigger heart. Diem’s lyrics are replete with themes of emotional trauma, hard-earned growth, and the pursuit of a better life. Like her ‘90s forebears, she isn’t afraid to sing about hard things because she also knows how to craft kick-ass music. And like the band’s ‘90s influences, they want their outsider twist on guitar rock to leave you thinking while also having a good time.