KeyCMND: Holy F*ck
Published by: KeyCMND.com
Date: May 13, 2010
Format: Web (www.keycmnd.com)
Type: Music Review
Holy F*ck – Latin
Canadian instrumentalists Holy F*ck are back with Latin, an energetic follow up to 2007’s LP. The permanent addition of a rhythm section in drums (Matt Schulz) and bass (Matt McGuire)—though both instruments were occasionally present in previous work—has resulted in a more focused and consistent element to add to Holy F*ck’s brand of synth-centric songs. As Latin moves through the eight tracks after “1MD,” an introduction of deliberately slow-fading textural sounds, the drums and bass hold things together—giving the keys (anchored by founding members Brian Borcherdt and Graham Walsh) the opportunity to explore and meander through Latin’s extra space.
In the foreground of “Red Lights,” Latin’s second track, the new rhythm section showcases a punchy bass line and a tightly woven beat that follows McGuire’s every pluck. Here, Borcherdt and Walsh remain lower in the mix—allowing the new additions to have voices of their own. “Latin America,” the album’s first single and third song, begins with a mix of acoustic and synthesized drums before opening into a bold groove where all four members are finally all-in, and Holy F*ck’s new lineup is together on display. It’s a stellar premiere of what the band can do together.
Latin is Holy F*ck’s new look, but it’s not an extremely drastic change from what the band used to be. This is not an instance of a band coming down with ‘a case of the MGMTs’, by any means. By adding consistency to what used to be a revolving cast of drummers and bass players, though, the band is able to continue with what it’s always done, just at a higher level.