After a long silence with respect to recorded material, Vancouver-based collective Sick Boss has returned for their second full-length effort. This is their first album since 2017’s self-titled debut (in early 2020, they released an EP-length single track). The lineup is Peggy Lee on cello, Josh Zubot on violin, JP Carter on trumpet, Dan Gaucher on drums, James Meger on bass and synths, and Cole Schmidt on guitar.
In short, Businessless is a formidable combination of various styles of experimental rock – post, chamber, and prog. Throw in a few hints of fusion as well. Largely composed, the album consists of moderately complex structures centered around pounding riffs but with soaring melodies, intricate interplay between Lee and Zubot in particular, and some outside passages.
Despite their classical proclivities, the group exhibits a looseness. This is in part due to Schmidt’s gritty guitar work as well as the others’ tendencies to stretch and play around the edges. Doctor Doom is a good example of this, with a repeating bass line that underlies both sparsely arranged and more orchestrated motifs. The track evolves into an anthemic and sweeping set of melodies that might even have mainstream appeal if not for their foundational weirdness.
Along with others such as Jack O’ The Clock, Sick Boss represents the current wave of North American avant-rock. Influenced by decades-ago innovators from across the pond (i.e., Henry Cow), this outfit still manages to sound uniquely strange and compelling. As such, Businessless comes highly recommended.
Avant Music News 