One Track Mind

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New York City’s Apache Beat make music as difficult to classify as it is easy to enjoy, rich with layered instrumentation and tonal changes. They pull off the artsy skronk and the soaring melody with equal facility; both approaches are in evidence on “Another Day,” the final track from the band’s upcoming debut, Last Chants (slated for an October 5th release by Beverly Martel). Last Chants features help from members of fellow Big Apple acts including The Rapture and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs–further evidence of how Apache Beat has very quickly won over hometown hearts.

It would be suspect not to invoke Talking Heads when discussing “Another Day,” which begins with the sort of plaintive guitar noodling the post-punk act perfected on Speaking in Tongues. Crackly synthesizers hum discreetly in the background as percussive elements fill in the gaps. Before long, the song has moved someplace entirely different, powered by alternating streams of overdriven, legato guitar notes and frenetic soloing.

There are moments when Apache Beat allows the tension to slacken on “Another Day,” but these brief respites only serve to heighten the intensity of the larger arc. This approach keeps things interesting listen after listen and makes “Another Day” a lot of fun to boot. Look out for big things from Apache Beat as 2010′s release calendar begins to draw to a close.