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xbxrx
Sixth In Sixes
2005 – Polyvinyl

Origin: Mobile, Alabama
Style: Noise

People do not know what to do with Sixth In Sixes.

Splendid related this album to the experience of a donkey show (http://www.splendidezine.com/review.html?reviewid=1126749014584406). Modern Fix started out their interview based on this album with a showcase of surprise that they have maintained their chaos and noise (http://modernfix.com/?page_id=524).

Off The Record Blog had this to say:  “I’ve only had one listen to it so far, but from that listen i can tell you that its brutal and just plain spastic.” (http://marchonelectricchildren.blogspot.com/2006/05/xbxrx.html)

To most, it comes as a surprise that xbxrx would continue their noise parade, maybe hoping that they would not have to sit through another album of abusive chords and the raping of shredded guitar strings. But did they think that Gop Ist Minee was the punch line to the joke, and that xbxrx would become a traditional band with coherency?

It’s as if Lake of Dracula decided to do dream pop, or Whitehouse thought the ear-splitting feedback was not what they wanted and changed their sound to prog rock.

But what this band does is make you think of things a little harder and faster – brutal and just plain spastic, as it is said. 18 songs in 25 minutes — that alone gives you a hint that there is an expectancy of hyperactivity and a bottle of Motrin for the headache you will endure. And with the slew of seven inches, eps, and Gop Ist Minee, you should already have an idea as to what you are getting yourself into when listening to this.

With the first for Polyvinyl, an unusual pick for such noise, the production of this album marks a new beginning for this group. If noise can get any clearer, xbxrx can claim success with this release. And by doing that, it has only fueled the noise to be even noisier, like a movie that’s been upgraded to 3-D.

If Sixth In Sixes is simply the sum of the parts, then it’s only natural that to gain an appreciation for this release by experiencing the album as a whole. And each of these songs are named. Who gives an ass what the songs are called because by the time you realize a song is there, it’s on to the next one … and the next.

Cross-Reference: Lake of Dracula, U.S. Maple, Boredoms