[01.03] Part Chimp is a London-based band who happen to be on the same label as Mogwai. However, that is where that comparison stops. It is likely that anyone who gives Part Chimp's debut CD, Chart Pimp, a proper listen, will want to duck and take cover. The assault one receives from it is the sonic equivalent of walking into some sort of natural disaster, like a tornado or hurricane or an ex-girlfriend with anger management problems who hurls things at you. Remember the first time you heard Nirvana back in the early '90s? Well, this album's powerful primal sound kinda reminds me of that, even though it carries significantly less weight in relation to the grand scheme of the music scene. Nirvana was saving us from bands like Poison and Winger. These days we have a very bearable mainstream rock scene to be rescued from. This is garage rock, but unlike some of their contemporaries who are signed to major label deals, Part Chimp is not making music for the masses. If the Strokes' car-hold has one of those new VW bugs in it, Chart Pimp's houses a Harley. What I'm trying to say is: this music is loud.

Chart Pimp starts off with its most accessible song, "B1" and then continues with its punk rock, heavy metal and even Bing Crosby-influenced (in "Lil' Bummer Boy") guitar attack. The only non-abrasive track is a misfit short instrumental with electronic sounds, entitled "SS Mannkunt." The rest is turbulent, tempestuous, and riotous, so be sure to wear your safety gear and batten down the hatches. If you don't already understand what I have been trying to get across, I'll say quite simply, this album is the best of the bunch, when it comes to the recent garage rock revival, and damn does it rock. —Matthew