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Friday, March 29
The Indiana Daily Student

Clean 'Memory,' fresh start

cloud nothings

What is the worst thing about touring for a year and a half straight? To Cloud Nothings frontman Dylan Baldi, it’s having to play the same songs over and over again and becoming bored with your own sound.

“Attack on Memory” is just that, an attack on who they once were as a band and a complete departure from last year’s self-titled debut.

Subtlety is not a priority in this album, as opening track “No Future/No Past” sets the tone for the band’s return with a very Nirvana-esque feel.

That aesthetic isn’t found on the remaining seven tracks, but it sends a loud and clear message of “screw what you heard, we’re a new band here.”

“Wasted Days” is nearly nine minutes long and hits hard and fast from start to finish. Finger-picking guitar and tight drumming turns into heavy thrashing and all-out war on the cymbals as Baldi screams, “I thought I would be more than this!”

While “Attack on Memory” has only eight tracks, it is remarkable that each one can stand on its own — even the purely instrumental, mosh pit-friendly “Separation.”

Baldi goes back to the futureless/pastless theme in “Stay Useless,” lamenting the ever-losing battle against time.

“I need time to stop moving / I need time to stay useless,” he wails, knowing that’s not an option.

Closing song “Cut You” is miserable and depressing with a catchy, up-beat tone. In a word, it’s appropriate. It fades the album out the same way it came in: with a nice tune and disdain for everything.

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