Hello Reader,
Welcome back.
Today we’re going to delve into A Place To Bury Strangers. More commonly known as APTBS. The noise rock band was formed in 2002 in NYC and is currently comprised of frontman Oliver Ackermann (guitar, vocals, bass), John Fedowitz (bass guitar), and Sandra Fedowitz (drums). This has been their listed lineup since 2021. Over the band’s 22-year history, it has seen some lineup changes with only one member, Ackermann, remaining from its early stages. Ackermann who’s been a member since 2003 was part of the band’s early years joining founders David Goffan (guitar, songwriter), and Tim Gregorio (vocals, bass). By 2006, neither Goffan nor Gregorio were no longer part of the band by 2006, and Ackermann had taken over songwriting duties with a new lineup.
The band has been classified as the following genres: noise rock, post-punk revival, shoegaze, experimental rock, psychedelic rock, space rock and noise pop and more, is known not only for experimenting with their sound and equipment but also for their volume at live shows. So much so that APTBS is commonly called the loudest band in New York.
APTBS features an extensive discography that includes six studio albums, and four studio EPs. Their studio album debut, the self-titled A Place To Bury Strangers (2007) was released to high critical praise and acclaim, and their second album 2009’s Exploding Head was met with critical praise as well. 2012 saw the band release an EP, Onwards To The Wall EP (2012), then Worship a few months later in 2012, followed by Strange Moon EP (2013), Transfixiation (2015), Kicking Out Jams EP (2016), Pinned (2018), Hologram EP (2021) and album See Through You (2022). In the band’s early days, they also self-released more than a handful of EPs. And in 2013, APTBS released a live album, Loud and Live in 2012.
And now, for your wall of sound, listening pleasure comes a new album from APTBS, Synthesizer is out on Friday, October 4th via Ackermann’s only Indy label Dedstrange Records. Via the album’s press release, Ackermann said about Synthesizer, “It’s pretty messed up, chaotic. But it also feels really human.”
The album cover not only is neat to look it, but it’s also functional (when you add your own required additional parts)! Check this out!
And now onto the album itself for some hype for your eyes and ears!
The lovely opener, “Disgust”:
(All credits and rights to A Place To Bury Strangers)
Don’t watch this one with the lights out, or late at night. The video for “Fear Of Transformation”:
(All credits and rights to A Place To Bury Strangers)
The WALLS of sound within the song “Bad Idea”:
(All credits and rights to A Place To Bury Strangers)
The masquerade within the video for the song, “You Got Me”:
(All credits and rights to A Place to Bury Strangers)
Synthesizer delivers us the good example that a lot of beauty exists within more raw noise and sounds. And perhaps a reminder for some that may avoid the harsher and world of experimental music. There’s an entire production debate and what’s radio friendly or not that we could get into. But we won’t. Not here. Often times these more experimental songs, are not liked by all music listeners nor radio stations who may prefer the more polished, produced, more ear pleasing tunes. No judgement from me there. You like what you like and that’s valid. Our musical tastes and preferences evolve over time, no? These experimental songs tend to stay on the airwaves of those amazing left of the dial stations: public radio, college and not top 40 radio in the US. I think that most of the best music you haven’t heard of (yet), exists there. Power up that radio, tune in and check it out for yourself. At the end of the day though, good music is good music regardless of genre. And Synthesizer is a great collection of rawness, compositions, noise and gives the listener an excellent taste of how great the band is to hear live. As designed. As solid as their albums have been, their live experience is APTBS’ best environment. Within Synthesizer the skill level of both of John Fedowitz and Sandra Fedowitz is on display regularly as is the composition talent, artistry and mind of Ackermann. Along with his own musicianship. There’s good songwriting as well and catchy hooks. Yes, catchy hooks. And dissonance. Beautiful dissonance.
Synthesizer gets 4 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. More specifically the mid-range of the 4 Scum Drops rating which is the 76th-79th percentile of all 2024 releases. See a detailed rating explanation here. There’s a lot to like about this album. Long-time APTBS fans, how does this album compare to other releases within the band’s discography in your mind? For me, it’s among the best. Does the album achieve its goal to encapsulate the band’s live energy? I think it does a great job of capturing most of the energy and experience. But ultimately, you must see them live. And also build your own synth and get the vinyl record. Add it to your collection!
Synthesizer Track listing (song length)
- Disgust (4:24)
- Don’t Be Sorry (2:23)
- Fear of Transformation (3:52)
- Join The Crowd (4:53)
- Bad Idea (5:00)
- You Got Me (3:53)
- It’s Too Much (2:55)
- Plastic Future (2:45)
- Have You Ever Been In Love (4:35)
- Comfort Never Comes (7:48)
Total runtime: 42:28
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. The process with Synthesizer will take you slightly less than an hour and a half if you listen to it twice from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without the influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on this album.
Want to find out more about the band or album? APTBS website with tour dates, merch, store, socials and more is linked right here.
Thank you for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
