the Rice Thresher

Issue date: 10/30/09 Section: Entertainment

There is something unique in the dynamics of a music duo. Roles are duly assigned to each of the two - specific instruments played, singing and songwriting credits, auxiliary forms of multi-tasking - all of which can complement, and sometimes even contradict, the tried-and-true adage that less is more.

The noise-pop duo No Age is a shining example of the good that can come from such a duo. Drummer Dean Spunt and guitarist Randy Randall both emerged from the Los Angeles hardcore/punk scene and formed the group after their previous band, Wives, parted ways.

As friends in the local community spread the word, No Age amassed a steady following of admirers through performances at art galleries and numerous smaller venues.

The volatile nature of their music is partly explained by their hardcore influence, but their sound's lo-fi quality lends itself to the very nature of a simple two-man pairing. There is an unevenness to their pop anthems, both in quality and in presentation, but that rockiness does not preclude quality. White noise and ambient drones replace guitar solos and mini-freakout jams fill the gaps usually occupied by epic musical scores.

Through their growing fan base, No Age released a steady stream of singles across a long list of record labels. Their 2007 compilation, Weirdo Rippers, gathered five singles and introduced the duo to a wider audience and exemplary reviews.

A full-length album on the Sub Pop label, titled Nouns, followed a year later, yet the group's prolific nature remained on the forefront with every new seven- and 12-inch single released. And now in 2009, their latest effort, Losing Feeling, gets to see the light of day.

Ever since the release of Nouns, No Age has refined its sound to be more cohesive and less driven by its earlier distortion/noise-pop tendencies. The duo's indie quality still permeates everything they touch, but this latest album offers a much fuller sound.

The rhythms on this four-song EP are more evenly distributed, but there are expanses made available for noise and feedback to flourish. Rather than creating another obligatory noise-pop piece, the song "Aim At The Airport" is an admirable attempt at drafting an ambient soundscape with the assistance of electronic instruments.

"Genie" is another notable track that revolves around slower melodies and a warmer palette, though a tinge of distortion can still be felt off in the distant background.

With the short running time of Losing Feeling, it appears that No Age has returned to its prolific single-releasing nature. The overall group dynamic still remains intact, if not evolved.

Since No Age's primary focus was that of releasing new material to the public, another full-length album might be a long way in the future. So long as the uniqueness remains, however, the wait will be more than worth it.

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