It comes as no surprise to learn that Susu, a Brooklyn-based three-piece, have recorded their latest work, this three track EP, with sound engineer Martin Bisi at B.C. Studio’s in New York. It’s seen the presence of such noise-rock greats as Sonic Youth and Swans. Once you’ve pressed the play button, Susu remind you of all those great bands and more. The problem is you spend most of your time playing spot the influence than actually enjoying the music.

The thirteen minutes that pass during “Anarchitect”, “Part Not Bloodhound” and “Hands Up (The Race)” do so with a surge of fuzzed up guitar, dueling male/female vocals and a barrage of drums that initially strike you as pure Sonic Youth. And it never quite escapes it. Sure Michael Andrew’s vocals sound a touch like Gareth Liddiard from The Drones, but otherwise it’s a Thurston Moore / Kim Gordon tag team.

The opening track contains the refrain “It’s not that interesting, but it is happening” and that, unfortunately, sums up this EP. It’s hard to see where Susu fit in. There are plenty of bands that make the same racket, but do it better and with a touch more imagination. It’s not bad; it just lacks anything that makes it stand out.
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Links
Susu [official site] [myspace]