Chicago post-punk trio Nonagon release stellar EP, “People Live Everywhere”

cover-nonagonIf there’s an aspect of post-punk that sets it up as a genre, as opposed to a time period, it’s the use of the bass as an equal of the guitar. Rather than simply tie the bass to the drums, setting up the “rhythm section,” in post-punk, the bass functions as an autonomous instrument.

A perfect case in point: in the instrumental track, “Fadeout,” Chicago three-piece Nonagon sets the bass in counterpoint to the drums, playing a droning line that compliments the chicken-scratch guitar work. It’s hypnotic, and I’ve had to stop and start this review about half a dozen times to go back, re-listen, and discover new aspects of this EP.
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