Album Review: A Place To Bury Strangers – See Through You

An interestingly gritty record

A Place to Bury Strangers brings the noise with their latest album, See Through You. The album is filled with exotic soundscapes that are fun yet jarring at the same time. It features both moments of soft ambient vocals and guitar as well as other moments of thrashing, borderline industrial chaos.

The New York City-based band has had a few of its member change over the years, and is currently composed of Oliver Ackermann (guitar/vocals/bass,) John Fedowitz (bass) and Sandra Fedowitz (drums). The band has an extensive list of EPs and singles, with See Through You coming in as the group’s sixth full album.

The first track, “Nice of You to Be There for Me” is a three-minute fever dream. It kicks off with a fast drum beat and dry bass line, joined by a robotic ambient vocal line. When the electric guitar funnels in, it is all over the place becoming a swirling mess of sound that seems to branch off in every direction.

“I’m Hurt” brings a dark edgy element to the record with an industrial droning. The entire song houses a pounding digital drum and a sort of harsh mechanical sound. Along with the deep, vibrating vocals that peek through, there is a high octave, gritty guitar throughout the track. Near the middle, the guitar suddenly scratches and bites, almost making one feel uneasy during the listen.

Harboring a more rock tone is “Let’s See Each Other.” This track is much easier to digest and experience than some of the previous ones. It takes on a more subtle tone and the guitar featured does not run away with the sound causing havoc throughout. This track stands a nice opposite to “So Low,” which ruthlessly punches from the moment it begins with a harsh guitar met with an aggressive trashing. There are moments in it that seem to take a break but right away picks back up, ultimately becoming a sort of metallic noise.

The closing track, “Love Reaches Out” features a lovely twangy plucked guitar. Just like the other tracks, the drum does seem to remain at a level 10 with fast energy. The difference here is that the verse slows down just enough to give the listener a break from the other demanding tracks on the album.

A Place to Bury Strangers delivers an exciting and powerful record that may just be someone’s next workout album.