A few years ago, I called for a moratorium on bands aping the Jesus Lizard. Those lurching, tense rhythms just lend themselves to lackluster imitation. It’s too easy to phone in. I’m glad that Arms Exploding never got my memo. They play with balls-out rawk energy, use the Jesus Lizard’s primal beats as a base, and throw some progressive post hardcore a la At The Drive-In or Refused on top. Caterpillar Tracks, on the other hand, are your generic Touch & Go offenders: a limp combination of Shellac and Jesus Lizard. Aiming for a groove, but just sounding monotonous. Don’t be mad, UPS is hiring.
–CT Terry (Phratry)