Lozen

Saturday, February 28

The methodically grinding audio assault of Tacoma duo Lozen isn’t going to be understood by everyone. If you like it singable, fast and hooky, they will pain your soul. These sexy sludge rock bitches are like a slightly more metal, Xanaxed version of the Sonic Youth Washing Machine philosophy, taking as long as they damn well please to play out their magical, trudgingly strung-out jams for the damned. On their debut, Enemies Against Power, the tracks wander, drop off, feed back and resurge in a driving display of musical prowess, without ever coming across as contrived or self-indulgent. That being said, if they were to harness all that raw power and take it into the studio with the right producer, allowing themselves to be slightly tweaked and crafted, they would not only speak to a larger audience, but could actually be commercially viable. Regardless, I can’t wait to see what these ladies do next.

Sat., Feb. 28, 10:30 p.m., 2009