Download: Random Patterns’ EP Creatures Of Teeth

Straight out of Highland Park and reppin’ Heard of Elephants Collective, Random Patterns takes to music like the first word in their name takes to the second: soaked in paradox. Consider “Corruption In The Licorice Den,” which begins as an acid-fried Texas wail but quickly turns into a saxy surf-rock affair with a slow psychedelic organ coda. The whole thing speaks of late-night collisions between the Butthole Surfers and the Doors at a funk club with pink lighting.  Much credit for this strange gooey cohesiveness goes to drummer Dan Melancon, whose oh-so-crisp cymbals and snare/kick thunderstorms direct the listener through the wandering rapids of each song. Kudos too to saxophonist Mike Allison for his beautiful melodies and outstanding subtlety in the otherwise treacherously obnoxious world of rock saxophony. Mad apropos. Chris Frias’ vocals sound almost perfectly like Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers reference #2), but the wryness of his downtrodden wit strikes a better balance between silly fluff and straight-faced songwriting. Creatures Of Teeth demonstrates a mysterious talent at vacillation between cathartic explosions and jazzy minimalism, raising the question, “How slow a song can you tap your foot to?” This is certainly not to say that Random Patterns favor the lower gears, rather they’re just more comfortable with it than most. And then, when they do finally pour it on, the jubilated breakdowns and crashing, noisy cascades feel all the sweeter.

—Matt Dupree