TOTAL CONTROL - Typical System LP

Label: Iron Lung

Man, this was one follow-up I was really nervous about hearing. Even though I'd heard their early singles, Total Control's first LP still seemed to come totally out of nowhere... the whole post-punk revival was just starting to get off the ground and it seemed instantly to raise the bar several notches. But then the single on Sub Pop was good, but not really explosive, and in my opinion the songs on the split 12" with the Oh Sees didn't really stick out that much either. However, it's clear now that Total Control were saving themselves for this record, because it's really incredible. The environment in 2014 is very different... everyone and their brother seems to have a post-punk band, yet Total Control still feel miles ahead.