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Icollide

Distractions (2005)
Angel Factory

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Anchors
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on March 24th 2006

My first introduction to this band was a rather abrupt one. I walked into the venue late, the show was to see Latterman, and as soon as I walked in the door the lead singer of Icollide was convulsing on the floor in his tight flannel shirt and unkempt hair, screaming like a madman while he tied the mic cord around his neck and beat his fists into the floor. Regardless of music, he had my attention.

Turns out, the music wasn’t half-bad either. Think Glassjaw, with Hot Cross-esque shredding sprinkled throughout the songs, and that’s essentially how you’ll come up with the combination that results in Icollide. Their newest effort, Distractions, is full of careening falsetto vocals, knee-jerk screaming, and a pretty impressive variety of chord progressions.

During the most quiet of moments, like the beginning of “Twin Cities Scene Distortion,” singer Aryn Schwartz channels the delicacy displayed by the Mars Volta’s Cedric Bixler on “Miranda, That Ghost Just Isn’t Holy Anymore.” The feel of not only this song, but much of the record, is a lot less abrasive than it came off in the live setting; the band instead opts for a great contrast in harshness and delicacy that only gets better as the record progresses. When they do turn up the energy, comparisons to the Mars Volta become even more validated. Not in the sense of frustratingly long ambient passages, however, instead in the guitar playing of Omar Rodriguez.

“Nuances of Rosalyn” is the best song on the record, as it easily maintains a steady equilibrium between the more frenetic and more wistful parts of the track, achieving a balance that is admirable at very least. Much of the song is done instrumentally, but when Schwarz’s vocals do come on they have one of two personalities. There’s the Bixler-like falsetto, and then there’s the Daryl Palumbo-like fits of screaming, and the two have a real tug of war of sorts at various points through the song, making it much more interesting then it may have been otherwise. Closing out the record is a 30-minute track, about 28 minutes of which can be accounted for by the sounds of trains passing and various other, usually quieter noises. The two minutes prior shows the band in their most unstable of lights, Schwartz screaming at full volume, the rest of the band wailing away behind him with reckless abandon, creating some really intense rhythms and speedy riffing.

A much different take here than their live show provided, and for the positive. Extremely varied, but fluid just the same, Icollide have a lot to offer in just 20 minutes of music. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll be the one convulsing on the floor.

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dragonqueen (December 31, 2007)

I just discovered a new band that Aryn the Icollide singer is in. They are called the SCORPION CHILD. The band is from Austin, Texas, and let me tell you....AMAZING stuff! Everyone who enjoyed Icollide would be missing out by not seeking scorpion child out. It's definitely not very Mars Volta, rather more soulful and rockin, with prettier soft songs as well. Aryn's vocals sound more Rangey (Robert Plant or Shannon Hoon and mature and there's no screaming. There is a natural abrasiveness that sounds great. I think his new project is a lot more put-together and has more staying power than Icollides chaotic frenzy, and for all my fellow girls, check out there myspace pics. HOTBOYS.

www.myspace.com/thysouthernsting

Anonymous (May 31, 2006)

It's funny how people can mistake shyness for pretentiousness. icollide is a bunch of shy guys. musicians transform personalities while performing.

Anonymous (May 5, 2006)

Oh holy fuck! great singer: great guitars: great percussion: bad attitudes: i love these guys-andrew

Anonymous (April 12, 2006)

ICOLLIDE....oh wow! GREAT BAND

i saw them in south carolina and they amazed me through and through. First they set up there gear amongst a chaotic environement of tough hxc kids glaring at them anticipating their first note with closed fists. My friends and i knew these bunch of hip lookin dudes would not mis well with the other bands on the bill. My girlfriend and her friends were off to the side gigglin most of the show because as i later found out they had a hardcore crush on two of the guys in the band. The music was amazing to say the least. it reminded me of Refused with and older/newer sound mixed together. the singer was nuts, charismatic and very entertaining. he had a great powerful voice from what i can tell. I am a singer and i looked up to his style. he even challenged some dickhead hanging from the rafters to a fight if he didn't get down.The drummer was on eof the best i have ever seen. my only complaint was the guitar players (bass player included) all sounded like they were competing to be heard. Their parts were amazing and involved but didn't allow enough room to be heard separately. It seemed like way too much going on and very washy. They were a great band if they relied more on writing less guitar. Maybe even one guitar player would be sufficient. I talked to the singer and i think the merch guy afterwards and they were really nice and amazing guys. i hope this band can go far.
I didn't have enough for a record bnut my girlfriend burned it for me and it is awesome. SEAN G.

Anonymous (March 28, 2006)

this band is bitchin!
their work ethic is to be admired and respected.
ive seen them once in PA and once in NJ and they blew me away. i bought their discs and all their stuff is unique and solid.
mad love and respect to ICOLLIDE!!
XO- SLR2006

GreenVandal (March 27, 2006)

GaY1!1!111!!!zzzz

givemeamuseumandillfillit (March 26, 2006)

Is the streetteam seriously bitching about this getting a 7?

That's a high score, idiots.