It's not just a street in Northside anymore! I remember Ambassador Mark "Zero" Dunbar, long-time Northside resident (Pre-Gentrification), rambling on social-media, or maybe in a Northside alley; about [General] Mad Anthony and some sorts of fierce battle that did not turn out well for the indigenous population (as usual).
This is about the other Mad Anthony... The one that's releasing 12"EP (and CD) from Phratry Records who has yet to compromise their aesthetics when it comes to sound. Phratry Records have their standards that are attainable thru hard work and honest virtues. Verily commendable!
Sank for Days is Mad Anthonys fifth release. Supposedly these songs are NOT a concept release but you just can't deny that they are steeped in tragic circumstances... The kind that comes with rigorous touring and surviving. There's something to be said when a word like survivors is used.
Sank plays well. There seems to be quite a story going on that you can pick-up on as you listen. It's understandable that life's tragedies automatically works into a band as a unit. I recently seen The Afgan Whigs on Later... with Jools Holland and they were great! As much as I wanted to deny it, the truth becomes clear. Afgan Whigs is an awesome band! Sank brings to mind a sound like Greg Duli fronting Fugazi as a backing band. The 'Phratry Records' sound is there reminiscent of Shane Johnson and his mouth-action from Caterpillar Tracks which, ironically enough, is a Phratry band.
You, the listener, are taken on an emotional ride up and down throughout the release which reeks of satisfaction by time you get to the end. Mad Anthony remade themselves during the writing of these songs. These songs are a set... A story told with words and sound. Looking deeply into the lyrics and feeling the desperation. Singing every song with a desperate, but urgent feel... Like every song may be the last song they play... Like their life depended on it. Sank hits your ears and heart ringing of true accomplishment... Of Victory... and surviving!
Before you go and buy this, just a quick mention of the packaging. The 12" is on clear wax and one sided. On the flat (non-anchor) side, there is a screen printed Octopus with wild tentacles... Yeah, another nautical themed release for Phratry (see The Shanks LP). The record comes with free digital downloads and is also available on CD so all bases are covered. Grab you life-jacket.
