TRACTOR
2006 Demo CDR
1. Man From A.N.O.T.H.E.R. P.L.A.C.E.
2. Korean Shopkeeper
3. ...To Ashes
4. Neighbour
For fans of Unsane, Melvins, Swans, Shellac, Jesus Lizard and old AmRep stuff.
Released June 14th, 2006.
Limited to loads of CDrs, mostly given away.
Tractor | Craig, Hank, Kunal | Site
Reviews
I didn't really care for their split 10" with Geisha, but the 2006 demo from UK trio Tractor is a vast improvement - taking their brand of scraggly "noise rock" (or whatever the hell you want to call it) into much more structured and enjoyable territory. The slow, pounding tempos are driven largely by pulsing basslines and stripped down beats with surges of guitar noise and simple power chord rhythms; while the vocals are basically straight up yelling with just a little bit of a distant sort of distorted crackle - which is probably due to their raw recording methods alone, because there are no fucking frills here, my friends. And I don't say that as a complaint, because I actually dig the recording - and everything else, for that matter. It wouldn't hurt if there was a little more brightness happening to bring out some of the additional grittiness of the textures and therefore draw out a hint more separation between the elements, but that's a minor issue. Bizarre lyrics, too. There's sort of a storytelling kind of vibe going on, but through choppy little phrases and statements. I don't know, they keep it consistent here, there's not much else to say. Given the stark improvements they've undergone thus far I'll definitely be looking forward to hearing more.
- Aversionline
Tractor is Mr. Superfi's own band. This is their 2006 demo, and the second release i get to hear from them. And their sound is still quite the same. It's dirty, slow and noisy, just like a tractor should be. The lyrics to the songs are little stories of urban disgust. And they are sung with a screaming voice drenched in distortion. I get the impression these dudes need to move to the country for a while. Because everything sounds so dirty, noisy and angry, it's time for a break. They seem to need it. This demo is 4 tracks long, and it could've been better with a heavier production. Even taking into consideration the fact that it's a demo. The noise makes up for that though. 4 Tracks of utter rage, frustration and bass-heavy music. For fans of Unsane and Unwound.
- Mashnote
Rapidly becoming one of my favourite UK labels of the current times, SuperFi Records have been putting out some awesome stuff for the past couple of years. This is the demo of SuperFi Records main man Kunal’s own band in which he plays drums. Coming across like Unsane crossed with Toad Liquor with some of that Am Rep skronk noise rock stuff but maybe slowed down. It’s a basic recording but it doesn’t take away from the monstrous, distorted bass and pounding drums and gives the claustrophobic vocals space to breathe. One minor niggle is the really low guitar in the recording, but it’s early days. Really good stuff, any band that makes me think of Unsane is a good one.
- Die Shellsuit Die
So Tractor have been around a while, but as far as I know have until now only released a 10" split with the equally marvellous Geisha. This is a new demo to showcase their new material and new drummer Kunal (of SuperFi Records fame), their old drummer having left to join Geisha strangely enough. This demo hits the spot straight away... with sleazy dirty distorted vocals, sludgey guitars and bass. The vocals and drums reminiscent of early Jesus Lizard and their previous band Scratch Acid. The guitars head towards Melvins territory. Creating a fuzzy warm feel that leaves you feeling a touch dirty and soiled afterwards. The lyrics are subtle to the sound and very well written. In fact I'm surprised this isn't planned for a full release in EP form, it's that good. The sound recording being of a high quality and fitting with the band's dirty sound. I suggest if you like sludgey groove based music you'd better mail Kunal and pick one of these up.
- Ninehertz