Since 2006 The Pack AD, a two-person band out of Canada, have been delivering exceptional, garage rock flavored music, that brings in elements of soul, country, and even a bit of experimental. This month the dynamic duo unveils Do Not Engage, their latest two-fisted punch of rock awesomeness.
The key to The Pack AD is the creativity. Each song on Do Not Engage is different, built on a varied exchange between Maya Miller’s drums and Becky Black’s punchy guitar. With that as the foundation, the two start layering on multiple influences, and allowing them to showcase on each track. Realistically that shouldn’t work. Do Not Engage should sound like a failed mix tape. Instead, Miller and Black break down the influences, usurp them, and then push them back out as something uniquely their own.
Opening track “Airborne” is an indication of where they came from. Miller lays down a staccato, almost robot like beat with just a hint of funk in it. Black waits until the drumbeat’s repetition is at its zenith, and then drops a garage riff into it that would make Sleater Kinney weep. If left alone, “Airborne” could be just a nod to the Riot Grrrl movement of the mid nineties. It avoids that via Black’s sleepy vocals, which swirl through the tune and give it a dream like quality akin to being really, really high.
“Big Shot” (which I was so hoping was a Billy Joel cover) is the bubble gum pop jam. The saturated, crunchy sound quality isn’t lost, but the riff is so catchy you can just picture Archie and the gang dancing to it at Pop’s Malt Shop. “Animal” brings the blues in, with a riff that somehow pushes Lightnin’ Hopkins guitar licks through a Devo filter. All the while Black is belting out with swagger and attitude.
With all the gifts Black brings to the table, there can be no slight to Miller’s drum work. For example, the entire success of the song “Battering Ram” is how Miller plays against what Black is doing, but remains keenly aware of when it is best to drop out, and showcase the guitar. Miller has the greatest gift any drummer can have, a lack of ego. She plays what is needed so the songs kick ass, and never strays from it.
“The Water” is a standout track. Hard driving punk riff played against a funkier drum line, then juxtaposed against lush, dreamy vocals. It’s a rocker wrapped up in this ethereal darkness. “Loser” is another of my favorites. The Pack AD just let themselves get weird, creating an amalgam of everything they can do. Quiet and introspective, then unleashing into huge rock goodness peppered with undeniable catchiness. I’ll bet live “The Water” and “Loser” songs absolutely kill.
Saving one of the showstoppers for last, The Pack AD ends Do Not Engage with “Needles”. This is Black by herself, strumming delicately and singing with a heartfelt desperation that is infectious. Melancholy, depressing, and overflowing with honesty, “Needles” is the perfect come down from an album that has spent most of it’s time rocking your face off.
Produced by Jim Diamond (White Stripes, Dirtbombs), Do Not Engage is a lean rock machine. Diamond has sliced the fat out of the record, without losing the excitement. Sure there is a garage rock sound that covers the entirety of Do Not Engage, but that’s what holds it together. That Pack A.D. sound is what keeps the album from sounding like a bunch of songs without direction. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Eight years in and The Pack A.D. have delivered the most exciting work to date. Do Not Engage is already on my list of albums to consider for the best of 2014.
