Published on Jun 11, 2019
A split record between two rising hardcore outfits from the great state of Minnesota (where this reviewer also resides), Household and Infinite Me offer us three songs each of their powerful and carefully crafted formulas, where traces punk rock linger amid very dynamic, challenging atmospheres.
Household starts out the collaboration with the ambient sounds of “Distant Truth (Part 1)” before it bursts into melodic and tense post-hardcore where power and restraint meet abrasive yet tuneful ideas. “Distant Truth (Part 2)” follows with spirited guitar work and a similar approach of rough and reserved. “Distant Truth (Part 3)” finishes out Household's portion with a twinkling beauty usually reserved for what the kids prefer to call 'emo', but finds time for dense moments of sonic fuzz.
This is a set of songs that deviates from their former aggressive roots into a sturdy indie rock category. Although they're still youngsters, here it seems that Household is maturing into a very interesting outfit, and today they proudly reside on the Equal Vision Records roster.
Infinite Me makes the most of their half of the affair, with the complicated, tumbling and rumbling “Rot With Me,” where light and dark textures meet in a math-rock sort of way. The other two tracks are nothing to spit at either, as “Follow You” recruits moody bass lines and a reflective spirit that's intimidating enough for the hardcore crowd, but pensive enough for the proponents of emo. They end the all too brief listen with the soft and agile “When You Leave,” where impassioned tension hints at grunge influences into a dreamy, ambient, compelling exit.
A really well done split that showcases the vast talent of these then relatively new outfits. If bands like Balance & Composure, As Cities Burn, Brand New, and Emery occupied much time on your turntable, you'd be wise to give this record a spin, too.