Band:	Torche
Album:	Harmonicraft
Style:	Sludge metal, Stoner metal
Release date:	April 24, 2012
A review by:	BitterCOld

01. Letting Go
02. Kicking
03. Walk It Off
04. Reverse Inverted
05. In Pieces
06. Snakes Are Charmed
07. Sky Trials
08. Roaming
09. Skin Moth
10. Kiss Me Dudely
11. Solitary Traveler
12. Harmonicraft
13. Looking On

Sludgy thunderpop power trio Torche are back, following up their 2010 release, Songs For Singles with the 13 track, 38 minute Harmonicraft.

The human Torches approach is the same as it ever was? lots of melodic hooks abound. (Harmonicraft, indeed.) The majority of the songs are of the slower and more drawn-out nature. And by drawn-out, with these guys we're talking three minutes, not 18 minute epics.

The midpace songs are enjoyable enough, but my favorite Torche-bearing tracks are the blitzing barnstormers that cause you to jump around like a spastic monkey for 60 seconds or so before, just as quickly as they came, they are gone. Fortunately "Walk It Off", "Sky Trials", and "Kiss Me Dudely" fit the bill and give us a nice fix of sonic smack.

The band still has that infectiously joyful vibe that make them stand out from their peers. In addition to pummeling power chords, they also show off chops with some tasty frenetic ripping riffs in "Snakes Are Charmed" and "Sky Trials."

The production is fantastic as well. Vocals are sort of back a tad in the mix, which helps lend a B-I-G, W-I-D-E feel. Everything sounds great.

I suppose I was initially slightly disappointed with the fact the album is primarily powering along at a medium clip, but the songs are groovy enough and it makes the trio of tracks even more of an energy burst. When they hit, I feel like I just downed a couple a half dozen vodka & Red Bulls and snorted a yard and a half of Pixie Stix.

Harmonicraft is a rawkin' good time.