After the release of
Engine Kid's strong debut, Bear Catching Fish, anticipation for this Revelation follow-up built up within the noise rock underground. Familiar
Slint-like minimalism and dramatic shifts pepper
Angel Wings (especially on "Anchor"), but
Engine Kid lays down some interesting post-rock grooves of their own as well. The most striking and abrasive highlight is "Nailgun," a stunner that suggests
Rush working out their punk chops with
Sonic Youth. After four promising tracks,
Angel Wings becomes too deconstructionist for its own good. The record's second half consists of slow guitar ramblings that don't flow like great doom or sludge. And while they're abrasive, the songs are also too conventional to be great noise or art rock. A commendable effort,
Angel Wings is likely to intrigue listeners obsessed with
Slint and their progeny. But casual fans of the genre needn't be concerned with this near miss. ~ Vincent Jeffries