A release with different tracks on each format, the new rarities compilation from A Place To Bury Strangers is an enticing proposition. Rare and Deadly spans 2015 to 2025 and finds frontman Olver Ackermann opening up his archives. What's on offer here is fairly consistent though, almost more consistent than a few recent APTBS proper releases.
"Song for the Girl from Macedonia" is Primal Scream-ish, while "On The Wire" is screeching feedback and a hook, which is to say, exactly the kind of thing that earned this band some fans in the first place. Elsewhere, the corruscating "Crash" is punishing, a reminder of the power in this band, and also a reminder of just much they've changed since this was likely recorded. The rot of "Dead Inside" is delicious. With vocals deep in the mix, and clanging elements of electronica punctuating the squall, it's the kind of thing that made me like this band a long time ago.
There's a grab-bag quality to this record, yeah, but Rare and Deadly also feels a little fresh. There's nothing here that's been too labored over, and as a result of that, there's an off-the-cuff quality to some of these demos and what-not that gives the music casual menace. This one may disappoint some recent A Place To Bury Strangers fans, even as it pleases old heads.
Rare and Deadly by A Place To Bury Strangers is out now. Details below.
[Photo: Heather Bickford]