4.5 stars out of 5
I never got the chance to see Sarah C.’s previous group, the Soft Maybes. But it gave me a big smile when I learned that the bassist’s new band was called Resounding No. And now I’m smiling even more widely, because the trio has delivered such an accomplished debut EP.
Propulsive lead track “Hexed Pet” appeared on a sampler a few months back from State Champion Records, the band’s New Brunswick, New Jersey-based label run by Screaming Females bass player King Mike. The shoegaze-y song, powered by raw harmonies, Kelli K.’s buzzsaw guitar, and Rachel R.’s crisp drumming, announces the band as heirs apparent to Vivian Girls.
Sarah’s nimble bass kicks off the next track, “Ya Blew It,” which shows that Resounding No can easily operate in a slower gear.
After another bass intro, Kelli lets the effects pedals fly in the spooky “Hunter’s Moon.” Here, the harmonies recall Bay Area heroes the Aislers Set.
In under 2 minutes, “Retain” displays a punk defiance (you want another comparison? OK fine) reminiscent of San Francisco’s the Avengers.
“What Park” harnesses the band’s various strengths into solid indie rock, while Kelli attempts to tame her guitar until it at last breaks free.
No keyboards are listed in the liner notes, so I don’t know how they conjured the hypnotic dream-pop instrumental “Blew It Again.” In the final 48 seconds, some beautiful unexpected distortion brings the record to a glorious end.
In a mere 16 total minutes, the group displays an ability to effortlessly switch styles, while maintaining a consistent overall sound, and that bodes very well for their future. Do I think Resounding No is one of the next great bands from New Jersey? My answer is an unqualified yes.
Jack Silbert, curator