PTSD

Description

PTSD is an album by the American alternative rock band L.S. Underground (a.k.a. Lifesavers Underground / L.S.U.), independently released on Blonde Vinyl Records in March 2010. The album was recorded at Hail Mary Studios in Huntington Beach and Dumb Angel Studio in Eureka, California.

The latest release in Michael Knott’s extensive back catalogue of alt rock long-players is a scuzzy, wasp-in-a-jar-guitar collection that will strike a chord with fans of Helmet, Constantines and Fugazi – yet there’s more than a hint of Bowie on offer to give things a more melodic edge. «The Hallows» gallops into a ‘Desert Sessions’ jam that would be sure to meet with Josh Homme’s approval, and «Child’s Prayer» recalls Alice In Chains’ ‘Jar Of Flies’ being covered by Beck during a nostalgic trip back to his ‘Mellow Gold’ days. «Miss America» and «Lights Out» capture the sound of a group of teenagers trapped in a garage with only their instruments, a tape recorder and a case of lager for company, «Never Gonna Come Back» could be an out-take from ‘Bleach’, and «Forever» swaggers in like Black Francis’ redneck cousin fronting White Denim. Closer «What Is Love Fighting For» is perhaps the standout track, with its machine-gun rhythm contrasting nicely with an awkward, discordant guitar line. Of course, the whole thing sounds like it was recorded and mixed by a chimp taking time out from a busy schedule of flunking college and listening to Iron Maiden – but that’s part of the charm and Michael’s devoted clique of collectors will want ‘PTSD’. [Jon Cooper, Cross Rhythms, January 2014]

Michael Knott has returned. The ubiquitous enigma that has never quite fit within the cushy confines of the Christian market, but always by his definition, has come back on the scene. After a few year hiatus, his “underground” personality has resurfaced. He actually has been around, just on the indy level. This particular disc has been in the making for a while now. Harkening back to the raw feeling of ‘Wakin’ Up The Dead’ and ‘This Is The Healing’, but with some severe new twists, ‘PTSD’ literally is a tribute to returning soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It features the talents of Michael Knott, Jim Chaffin from the Crucified, Brian Doidge, Josh Lory, Matt Biggers, Daniel Sonner, Casey James Prestwood, and Rick McDonough.

Coming out of the gate, «Acclimation» sounds like a heavy garage song with double kick bass drums. Brian Doidge’s guitar quirkiness you can hear all over the place on «Souls Are So Low». The disc is incredibly fluid for an old school punk meets garage meets post punk vibe. «My Redemption» is a self-indulgent acoustic spin, “Gonna get my truck, gonna get my car…I got my L.S. Underground.” I absolutely loved it! «Child’s Prayer» is a strong song that stuck out to me with the guttural screaming, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, help my dad…” It hit me right there in the heart. His classic «Shaded Pain» is revisited and retooled in «Shades Of Pain» with a darker, minor feel. It’s a good update too. The disc clocks in over 42 minutes. Other killer tracks are «Miss America», «Lights Out», and «What Is Love Fighting For». [thecannyshark, The Phantom Tollbooth, 2010]

CD tracklist:

01. Acclimation
02. Souls Are So Low
03. The Hallows
04. My Redemption
05. Child’s Prayer
06. Miss America
07. A Shade Of Pain
08. Lights Out
09. Never Gonna Come Back
10. Forever
11. What Is Love Fighting For

Note: Re-issued by Retroactive Records in 2012, entitled PTSD (Legacy Edition) (RAR8008). Available at Bandcamp: https://lsunderground.bandcamp.com/album/ptsd