[rating=4.00]
A fierce trio that plays power punk music with a DIY gritty edge, Screaming Females has produced a complete and exciting record with their newest release Castle Talk. The group has a knack for producing catchy riffs and choruses before scuffing them up with enough tempo changes and feedback so the proceedings never become too sweet. They have toned down the rougher edges (gone are the actual screams from their songs) but Jarrett Dougherty on Drums and King Mike on Bass manage to contain the low-end a the lone female Marissa Paternoster rages on the microphone and six strings.
The disk starts with the story song “Laura and Marty” that showcases everything the group does well; intense vocals/lyrics, blazing solos, a driving bass and drum part. The insane guitar outro on “I Don’t Mind” is scorching, reminiscent of J Mascis, reinforcing Paternoster as a blazing giant on the axe. “Normal” and “Ghost Solo” each contain bouncy bass lines that bubble along under the chaos while “A New Kid” borders on metal with its noise break parts. The stripped down “Deluxe” helps to show the trio’s range while Castle Talk as a whole proves Screaming Females have talent for miles.
