Music Features

Technical difficulties

By MATT PARISH | June 23, 2009

"Absolutely," says Budney. "I want it to be like something carved into a mountain thousands of years ago that you have to decipher. People say, 'This song took us five minutes to write!' Okay, fine. This song took us three years to write. It might take you three years to understand. If you don't want to take the time, get the hell out of our way."

Which is to say he's not exactly worried about the haters. Kim sees it a bit differently: "I thought we were writing pop songs. We said, 'Let's write a vocal line that's memorable.' I think they are."

He's right — the climbing chorus in "Siege Engine" builds telescoping harmonies like any red-blooded power ballad. The thing is, the jagged bones of the thing stick out all over the place. Maybe it's just not for the faint of heart. And that's unfortunate. But for those of us who love this band, it should stay that way, thousands of fans or not. I mean, they're no Happy Meal, but they're getting by.

TRISTAN DA CUNHA + BLOARZEYD + HANGMAN'S ALPHABET + ARCHELON | P.A.'s Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville | June 27 at 9 pm | $8 [21+], $11 [18-20] | 617.776.1557 or www.paslounge.com

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