Parts & Labor – “Haunted Limbs”

Once upon a time, Parts & Labor might've been the catchiest noise-rock band in the land. The New York group always went crazy with serrated synth-blurts and overdriven drumming. But they also belted out huge and hearty rock songs, and their hooks would always shine through the effects. After breaking up and playing their final show in 2012, Parts & Labor are back at it. Once again, they might be the catchiest noise-rock band in the land.

Last month, the reunited Parts & Labor announced the 79-minute opus Set Of All Sets, their first album in 15 years, as well as a quick run of shows on both coasts. They also shared "Endless Cycle," their four-part, 20-minute lead single. I think "Endless Cycle" kicks ass, but as far as entry points go, that's a big ask. Perhaps you'll have an easier time with their new song "Haunted Limbs," which serves as a much more approachable headbanger.

Stereogum contributor Christopher Weingarten was always a beast behind the drums in Parts & Labor. On Set Of All Sets, he's one of two drummers alongside Joe Wong, and both of them go wild on "Haunted Limbs." But once again, the track is, at its bones, a fists-up rocker. If it had regular drums and bagpipes instead of synth-blurts, you could convince me that this was Big Country. Here's how co-leader Dan Friel describes "Haunted Limbs" in a press release:

Expanding on the album’s theme of Utopia, "Haunted Limbs" blurs the line between the challenges of building a better world and some straightforward shit about restarting a band after 15 years. The lyric "It haunts us like a limb we haven’t grown yet" pretty much sums it all up. The song comes out sounding more like vintage Parts & Labor than a lot of the record but pushes things forward in a way that is impossible to miss from the minute you press play.

Check it out below.

Set Of All Sets is out 7/10 on Ernest Jenning.