Proton Proton, a lean, mean three-piece machine from Brooklyn deal in angular, fuzzed up punk-funk and remind one slightly of the original of the species, the Gang of Four and Pere Ubu. Featuring prominent use of the gass (a bass & electric guitar hybrid) and what sounds like a toy piano – their second EP is a barnstorming effort that continuously thrills over its 20 or so minutes.
Drummer Jarrod Ruby and gass-ist Aron Sanchez are a formidable rhythm section and one of the bands’ main attractions is the deft and inventive interplay between the two. This is heard to best effect on ‘Mars’, ‘Two Words’ and ’Major Solution’. Paul Fuster’s vocals are strong and distinctive also and suit the music perfectly. The toy piano adds a nice counterpoint to the harder guitar/drum edge but this is perhaps overused a little in the long run.
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All that is lacking for me is a little harmonic complexity around the edges to fill the aural soundscape a bit more – which is present here at times especially on the excellent first track ‘Plates’. With sympathetic production and some more work on the band’s behalf then Proton Proton should find it well within them to produce a long player of significant interest. All in all - a mighty fine sophomore effort.
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