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1994!

Thank You Arms and Fingers [12 inch] (2008)
Inkblot

Reviewer Rating:

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

Published on March 13th 2009

You're at The Fest. You're stumbling around the streets of Gainesville, pretty loaded up on PBR and Sparks. In a drunken stupor, you wander into The Atlantic to watch some band you've never heard of. But things are kind of hazy and they seem rad, so you stick around since there's lots of gravelly shouted vocals, off-kilter punky post-hardcore-esque riffs and an overall upbeat vibe about the whole thing. You're barely even making sense of them as actual songs, but hey, the sound is enjoyable.

1994! could very well be that band.

Thank You Arms and Fingers sounds something like Midwest math-rock with more aggression and rung through the No Idea ringer. Then again, you could probably describe the last Bridge and Tunnel album the same way, which 1994! sound virtually nothing like. They're a little heavier and a little more corrosive, with less of a focus on memorability and more of a frenetic, "in-the-now" feel.

However, when the band dip into slightly more emotionally affected territory, like the change in volume and manic growling in "Reptile Dysfunction" or the poetic reflection of "Sexual Alien vs. Sexual Predator," that seems to be when 1994! is at their best. The weird guitar interplay in "New Holland 1995" is cool, too.

Damn promising and interesting debut. Thank You Arms and Fingers is short on stokeage parts but it's got a compelling and riffy flow about it.

STREAM
Get Off Our Weed You Pussies
New Holland 1995
Termineighbor 2 "The Misspelling"
Stutter Like You Mean It

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BBQchildren (March 14, 2009)

I just came on here to comment on this album. I hardly ever get on here. But this needs to be said.

"..and rung through the No Idea ringer"

Having play with these guys, having seen Chris and Mike stun the living piss out of people live and having felt goosebumps regardless of whatever mood I'm in when this album is on..I can personally say the 3.5 rating does not these guys anywhere near justice whatsoever. These guys could easily blow away any of the current No Idea roster (including Bridge and Tunnel, who I happen to love to death nonetheless) live.

-Zack

wewereskeletonsraf (March 14, 2009)

damn. now i feel like a newbie dickwad. www.sadtrombone.com

inagreendase (March 14, 2009)

I know I've been here a while when I'm making in-jokes that pre-date most of the current community. sigh

wewereskeletonsraf (March 14, 2009)

ps. growling?

wewereskeletonsraf (March 14, 2009)

Best friends w/ these dudes. And uh, the album name is Thank You Arms and Fingers. For me, this album has the warmest sound and just makes me think Lancaster and close friends and I just love it. And I really really think Termineighbor 2: the misspelling and steep cliff mountain type valley jaunt need some props, they're amazing songs. and if anyone's around Lancaster there's going to be an amazing show at their house (linked above) tomorrow. My band's playing along w/ Sinaloa, algernon cadwallader, black kites (ex You and I), and straight no chaser. 1994!'s playing in their kitchen and its going to be rad.

mikexdude (March 13, 2009)

Hahahahahahahahaha... growling....

ollywood (March 13, 2009)

Score is for the year 1994

not a favorite of mine

wentz_equals_death (March 13, 2009)

1994.

kevinskapunk (March 13, 2009)

This is rad. I just moved to Harrisburg about a year ago and haven't really ventured out to many local shows....I'll have to check these guys out.

miniblindbandit (March 13, 2009)

is that zack galifianakis?

seth_uber_alles (March 13, 2009)

Ah, the hometown (Lancaster, PA) heroes. These guys are definitely gaining some attention lately, and for good reason. They are not a band to miss if they're playing in your town. Good times will ensue. They currently put on some good shows with touring bands at their house "The Stomping Grounds."

www.myspace.com/thestompinggroundshouse

-Seth

xote (March 13, 2009)

These guys are really fucking good. From Lancaster i think... theres been a lot of new post-hardcore/screamo bands popping up in PA, DC, VA, CT and MD. They also just did a big 2 peice band fest...

Anyway sweet band & good review. Glad to see it here.