4 out of 5

Label: single track, bandcamp download

Producer: Nick Ehlert

A good, scuzzy bassline, thick and heavy riffs, lyrics hoarse-shouted that are just obtuse enough to merit wonder but not so silly that you don’t get an oomph from singin’ along, this single Hifi track made to support something or other is a total call to arms rave-up, and a reminder that the boys can whip up a frenzy when need be.  It’s still pretty standard by-the-books, lacking some of the odd noise freakouts that percolate in the background of some of their work, but the defining factor of the group has always been their forward momentum (and how it could barrel right through that noise), and ‘Walker’ definitely offers that.  Still, it’s hard to say it’s 100% ’cause the band is never quite a singles band – their effect requires a build-up and buffer of several songs to really stick in your head.  Download it anyway ’cause maybe I loves you.