Human Services from Hampton,
VA, floored me with their
self-titled debut and the follow-up, 'Animal Fires'. Then, sadly, I lost track
of them but after three more albums we crossed paths again with the release of
their stunning sixth album, 'Social Studies'. True, it's been a while and I am
very late to the party but better late than ever, especially since we're
dealing with such a crushing recording. The traits from earlier are still
present; the poignant and spot-on social commentary, the paranoia, the
claustrophobia and the sonic electronic disharmonic chaos. Up the intake of
this a hundredfold and add spoken-word segments which gives off strong gonzo
vibes. Let us not forget the strong Einstürzende Neubaten vibes.
True to the title, this album is a collection of social
studies especially of the human psyche. Therefore the dissertation Human
Services present is deep, dark and frightening, and I didn’t expect less. I
mean, the social observations the band has done from the beginning are
necessary for people to realize what’s going on around them and within
themselves, and as a consequence the result of our actions shape our immediate
world as well as the state of the world around us. Human Services hones in on
this perfectly and they tell it like it is without sparing any blushes. And
there’s no reason to hold back, hence the amazing new album, ‘Social Studies’.
The compositions which best displays Human Services
observations are ‘Rough Outing’. Chaotic, spartan and beautiful musically, to
me it tells the tale how your partner or best friend is wasting your lives by
being stuck in a downward spiral. No attempts are given to swim back up to the
surface since it’s easier to pull further down. ‘Reel Dollars For Jail-Eating
Misprints’ follows close at hand both musically and lyrically but with a more
percussive assault and more evil intent. Hypnotic, repetitive and tribal ‘A
Long And Growing List’ is about when you need to make a change, do it. No matter
what the cost! As much as it will hurt to cut bad elements from your life, you
will benefit.
Minimalistic electronics and percussions leads ‘Conveyances
For Every One’ on the way through its Gonzo-like spoken words approach. Dark,
terrifying, ugly yet wonderful the way only Human Services can do it, they hold
nothing back. ‘Lucky Lotto/ Phantom Limbs’ is slow, heavy and meandering with a
more traditional set-up, well for this band at least, with guitar, bass guitar
and drums. To me they sing about the luck of the draw. We all strive and
struggle through life where one person strikes it lucky by chance, while the
person next to him/ her ends up being blown up and maimed in war. Meaning you
really never know what’s going to happen to you one second from another.
‘Keeper/ Quitter’ reminds me so much of the excellent band Murder Inc. and
especially their song ‘Supergrass’ and I love it! In your face and candid to me
it’s about what a very toxic relationship does to you.
Human Services are a band, at the time consisting of Jeff
Liscombe, Sean Sanford, Don Piffalo and Billy Kurilko with longtime
collaborator, Steve Kerchner adding to the insanity, but oftentimes, as on
‘Social Studies’, they come across more as a collective. Regardless how many
people perform, this band always breaks away from the norm, the rules, the
regulations and the conventional. And no matter how disturbing their music
might be sometimes therein lies their beauty and excellence. I do love my three
chord rock’n’roll blasting away, but when I need to come back to reality I have
Human Services to guide me. Their music is not for the faint of heart but let
the band immerse you and you will experience an eye-opener and a cleansing you
never thought possible. Amazing stuff!
-Swedebeast
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