PARTITION "PRODIGAL GUN" ALBUM REVIEW
Channeling early 90’s punk/alternative, PARTITION’S “Prodigal Gun” is more than just a fully loaded entendre, it’s a unrelenting force that doesn't let up until the very last note on “Freudian Slip” screeches and fades out. Twelve of the most beautifully brutal songs that I've heard in a long while, "Prodigal Gun" punches you in the eardrum with its grinding guitars and punishing drums. The instrumentation and production of the album remind me a lot of Nirvana’s “Bleach” and early Hole, with guitars like buzz saws, the bass droning through distortion, and the unyielding drums pounding away. Also like “Bleach” the album challenges the listeners with uncomfortable topics like sex/gender, drugs, and past trauma. My favorite track from “Prodigal Gun” is “Drugstore Anthem,” a straight up force of a song. At least part of the song is about stealing from a drugstore, but it’s really all about the lyrical delivery and power behind how Taylor Nice effortlessly matches the droning of the guitars, as they sing the lyrics “More, more I want more/More, more go to the store/It's easy it's easy to steal!” that hooks me. Another highlight for me is “Get Clean,” a delightfully brutal track that sounds like what going through withdrawals must sound like. One oddity on the album that I actually love, but PARTITION might not love the comparison, is that the bass and vocal lines of the beginning of “Cowboy Mouth” remind me a lot of “Degenerate” by Blink-182, a band nowhere near as cool as PARTITION. The lyrics on the entire album are dynamic, just like Taylor Nice’s vocals, ranging from a tough but effortlessly cool delivery on “A Bruise Can Come from Good Times Too,” to the raw and emotion filled screams on “Freudian Slip.” Taylor Nice says that the band’s plan for the future is “To rule the fucking world…” and I totally believe they’ll do it with albums like this.
We are also fortunate enough to be premiering PARTITION’s new music video for the song “Prodigal Gun,” check it out below.
PARTITION
Taylor Nice, vocals, bass, writes all the songs (they them)
Evan Thomas, drums (he him)
Seth Jakes (he him)
(Melodic Noise) What is your formed/origin story?
(Partition) PARTITION originally began in 2015 in Richmond VA when our lead singer/bassist Taylor (pronouns they/them) was 18. After battling with mental health issues and drug addiction Taylor had to leave the band and Richmond to seek mental and drug abuse counselling. During this time most of the songs for Prodigal Gun were written. (The others were written when Taylor was 17 back in Southwest VA). After rehab and a stint in sober living in California Taylor linked up with long time internet friend Evan (PARTITION’s current drummer, pronouns he/him) Where on a whim Taylor spent their whole paycheck on a plane ticket to MN, arriving with no money. After a few months of practicing as a two piece they finally met Seth (guitar, pronouns he/him) at a house show. They began practicing non stop and recorded PARTITION’s first set of recordings Prodigal Demo . The release of these songs in Sept 2018 was the band’s first show in Minneapolis. Since then the trio have played upwards of 60 shows, been on two small tours around the midwest and recorded their debut LP Prodigal Gun set to release January 2020. Taylor will be 2 years sober in February.
(MN) Genre?
(P) Alternative/post punk
(MN) Do you have a label?
(P) Self release (under Ugly Son Records)
(MN) Album name?
(P) Prodigal Gun. It’s a trifecta of playing w religion, my love of puns, and my gender. Title could also be read as extravagant cock, a sign o the times.
(MN) Lyrically what stands out on the album?
(P) Lyrically everything is about things that have happened to me, main themes being break up, heroin use, childhood trauma
(MN) What was the inspiration behind the album?
(P) My life n things I like
(MN) What do you hope people take away from the album?
(P) That I am someone Not to be fucked with and I mean BUSINESS w my art it means a lot to me
(MN) Is there something that connects the songs together?
(P) My personal narrative
(MN) Are you locals or transplants?
(P) I am from VA, Seth and Evan are locals
(MN) What are some of your influences and Minnesota influences?
(P) 90s alternative, 70s punk, 80s post punk
(MN) Who are some of your favorite current Twin Cities artists?
(P) Harper’s Jar, Gramma, In Lieu
(MN) What is your favorite venue to play and see shows at in Twin Cities?
(P) MORTIMERS
(MN) What can fans expect when they come to your shows?
(P) A Good time, lots of facial expressions. Possibly blood. Definitely glitter
(MN) Do you have a favorite or crazy memory of playing a show?
(P) Playing an ex strip club/ ex bowling alley Turned “venue” in Fredericksburg VA. Complete w a stage, stripper poles, and bowling lanes.
(MN) Who are your dream tour-mates?
(P) SURFBORT
(MN) Other hobbies?
(P) Writing, film (Taylor)
(MN) What do you like about living in the Twin Cities?
(P) That the narcotics scene and DIY scene are not connected rlly like it was in Richmond
(MN) Is there anything that sets the Twin Cities scene apart from places you've toured?
(P) People don’t go as crazy hehe
(MN) What are your favorite places to grab food or drink in the Twin Cities?
(P) Applebees Brooklyn Center
(MN) Day jobs?
(P) Taylor (pottery glazer) Evan and Seth work at grocery stores
(MN) What are the band's plans for the future?
(P) To rule the fucking world and bear the brunt of misgendering so that musicians that come after me don’t have to.
Video Content Warning: Strobes and Blood
Review and Interview by: Andrew Perrizo
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