Force Publique, February 5 at the Meadowlark

A handful of years ago, it seemed as though bands lumped into the so-called post-punk revival category were dominating the listening diet of trendy bohemian types everywhere. At first listen, Force Publique can sound like a latter-day version of the same, except that the band expertly blends the kind of...

By Tom Murphy

February 2, 2011

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A handful of years ago, it seemed as though bands lumped into the so-called post-punk revival category were dominating the listening diet of trendy bohemian types everywhere. At first listen, Force Publique can sound like a latter-day version of the same, except that the band expertly blends the kind of otherworldly electroclash sound exemplified by Ladytron's 604 with the darkly noisy menace of the Vanishing for a type of music that sounds like it came out thirty years ago. That is, if bands back then had access to masterful sequencing and loops and two decades' worth of IDM composition. Edgy but accessible, Force Publique (due at the Meadowlark this Saturday, February 5) makes pop music perfect for a midnight ride to a mysterious destination.

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Tom Murphy is a writer, visual artist and musician from Aurora, Colorado. He was a prolific music writer for Westword and a documenter of the Denver music scene.

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