'Rebellion resurrected' – Bush Tetras sparks a Punk Rock revival with their new album

"Rebellion resurrected," exclaims the punk rock faithful as Bush Tetras, the No Wave revolutionaries from the 70s and 80s, return with a brand new album titled 'They Live in My Head'. The band, renowned for their ingenious fusion of punk, jazz, dub reggae, and experimental noise, takes us on a nostalgic trip down memory lane with their new release. However, the journey isn't always rose-tinted.

Bush Tetras: The Punk Rock Phoenix Rising

As reported by Treble, the new album arrives amidst a resurgence of interest in Bush Tetras and significant changes within the band. After reuniting for performances and recordings in 2005, the band has seen a revolving door of bassists, including the most recent recruit, Rocky O'Riordan (known for his associations with Elvis Costello, Pogues). The untimely demise of founding drummer Dee Pop in 2021 led to ex-Sonic Youth member Steve Shelley joining the ranks. However, the torchbearers of the band, original singer Cynthia Sley and guitarist Pat Place, continue to steer the ship, adding a certain solidity to their performances over time.

A Taste of the Past or a Step into the Future?

Yet, this solidity comes with its own caveat. Bush Tetras, once known for their innovative and dramatic soundscape during their heyday in the early '80s, now leans more toward straightforward and tuneful compositions. Songs like "Walking Out the Door" and "So Strange," while featuring Patti Smith-inspired deliveries, resonate with a modern Iggy Pop vibe, making the tracks less surprising and intense. Similarly, "Tout Est Meilleur" and "Ghosts of People" stand out, but mainly because they echo shades of grunge and slowcore, respectively.

No Wave musicians, like those from Bush Tetras, were masters of the art of deception – they presented dissonant arrangements and cryptic lyrics with a casual air, as if they were mere novices. Their intent was to turn pop music on its head to make it intentionally non-pop. 'They Live in My Head', while a valiant attempt from a legacy band to return to the music scene, delivers a somewhat conventional result. The punk rock rebels, despite their attempts, seem to have been caught in the web of familiar genres.

Is Bush Tetras's latest album a yearning for a bygone era or a step into a more contemporary, subdued version of punk rock rebellion? The jury is still out on that one.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)