Quirkmotricate
From David Menconi, the Raleigh News & Observer:
a spectacular debut album that skillfully balances melody and rhythm with a maturity far beyond this trio's tender years.
From Stereogum.com:
See, the simple energy at "Fall Down, Play Dead"'s close? That's what we're talking about: College rock in that best old-school, early '90s sense, though it goes some place else with it, too. (Echoes of Pinback throughout the album.)
From The Run-Off Groove:
"...The one thing that can be heard immediately is the soulfulness of their songs, all originals, and I don't mean in an Afghan Whigs sense but, I hate the term "emo" but there's a lot of emotion in their music without it sounding flaky... This 7-song EP is a small dose, and it's enough to satisfy those who want to hear a new, fresh band on the scene. I am confident that these guys can pull off a great full-length album with more of the qualities that make this EP a must-have, and perhaps add a few new twists that could make them a band to look out for in 2008."
From Matthew Montgomery of musicgeek.com:
The three-piece Chapel Hill, N.C.-based play an energetic sort of indie rock. Hammer No More The Fingers, seemingly inspired by a plethora of progenitors to more recent indie rock trends, released their self-titled debut EP on Power Team Records On Nov. 16, 2007. The group, with their Pavement-inflected style, provide something that’s been missing in prominence from the indie scene: unabashed energy and attitude that doesn’t end up woefully over-the-top.
From Mike Mineo of ObscureSound.com: "...If it were the early ’90s, most of the songs on their EP would be college radio staples. If we are lucky, they will never feel the pressure to revert into a more modernized version of their former selves. If they keep at it, they will hold no regrets.
From Circles of Concrete:
"...their fun-filled rock adventure full of weird twists and turns that keep me wanting to listen to just a little bit longer until - before you realize it - the song is over."
From the Independent Weekly:
Hammer No More the Fingers' CD release party at Duke Coffeehouse Saturday night stands as one of local music's best moments this year. A perfectly executed four-band bill with consistent energy and an eager shock of fans from start to finish, Saturday night's show left an overflowing coffeehouse covered in sweat and smiles . . . Hammer's fan base proved itself a devoted one, recognizing songs from the first few chords and cheering loudly, but singing louder. Hammer's next-generation Triangle rock was preternaturally tight, locked rhythms popping hard beneath Joe Hall's guitar crackle.
From Bryan Reed of Diversions:"...On its self-titled debut, the trio of Triangle natives, channels indie rock forbears, but without ever feeling like a rehash. Instead the record sounds more as if it could have been a Merge or SST release some 15 years ago — one of the ones that retains its relevance even to today."
From the Side One: Track One blog:
I love what these guys are doing. Their sound is just straight up indie rock that's laced with energy and dipped in a vat of pure catchiness. Better yet, the trio also do enough to not actually sound like it's just three dudes pounding away on their instruments; there's a real sense of flexibility and confidence. The band's self titled album is out in a couple of days, and I would recommend picking it up if you have an itch for some quality indie rock.
From thePasta Primavera blog:
No fancy production. No gospel choirs in the background. Just ROCK. Hammer No More Fingers is a three piece outfit from Durham, NC who play crunchy power pop rock that gets your head nodding instantly. They have an S/T album out on Power Team Records for only 8 bucks. It's not often you get quality rock for 8 bucks, so go get it!
From the Wall Fly blog: To be cliche, I got Hammered last night. I had the distinct pleasure of attending Hammer No More the Fingers CD release "Orgy" last night . . . Hats of to Hammer, they have created a giant momentum, and I expect to see them launched nationally over the next year. Don't miss their upcoming shows-no doubt they will be playing these smaller, more intimate venues for long. Catch them while you can.
From Robbie Mackey of Independent Weekly:
"...Jeff Stickley, E. Duncan Webster and Joe Hall have an undeniable chemistry and a noticeable respect for each other's contributions. Stickley's drums are always tasteful, never throttled, and Hall's guitars never overpower, often preferring the sweet spots of cleanliness. And the triple vocals (but never triple harmonies) work. Good to know that solid stuff like this from Durhamites this young still exists. And works." |