Boomstick

Boomstick’s impressive melodies come reinforced with pitch-perfect harmonies and pristine production, yet the band still sounds just a little too different to score many spins. Perhaps the hardcore-ready riffs are too robust or the rumbling bass lines too overpowering. But even though Shatter might sound like a throwback, it’s ahead of its time in terms of radio programming. “Dick” has the makings of a novelty singalong hit — singers Celt and Root croon, You’re a dick/Yes, you’re a penis/You’re such a cock/No love between us during the climactic chorus — but mass audiences tend to embrace such tunes only when they’re obvious jokes (Denis Leary’s “Asshole”) or hoary empowerment anthems (Meredith Brooks’ “Bitch”). Without a wink, airplay seems unlikely. Cover tunes are usually a cheap way to score a breakthrough single, but Boomstick’s “Eleanor Rigby” doesn’t follow the tradition of fitting an incongruous song into the big- dumb- guitar-rock template. Instead, this version succeeds on a smaller scale, with stark, insistent riffs taking the place of grandiose string arrangements. Boomstick emphasizes subtlety and instrumental efficiency, treasured traits for most modestly successful cult acts. And like Bruce Campbell, the actor whose Army of Darkness lines gave the group its name, Boomstick knows the value of carving a niche without compromising its quirks.