Before You Get Broken

In the 1990s, Gary Thorstensen held down guitar duties for Seattle’s powerful and noisy TAD (Sub Pop) while Julie D held down guitar duties for the math-groove Chinchilla (Crisis/Revelation) down in San Diego. When their paths finally crossed 2014, the result was a resonance that alluded to their previous work while adding unexpected surprises, such as their shared love of power pop and 60s folk rock. More than a decade later, the results remain similarly powerful and occasionally quirky, but still showcase a palpable melodic focus.

As Guest Directors, along with drummer Rian Turner and bassist Charles Russo, they have continued to expand their chemistry while reinvesting in themselves and embracing their DIY ethic to write, record, release, and perform as much music as possible.

The band is now celebrating their latest creation, the nine-song Before You Get Broken (Topsy). The album (available on vinyl, CD, and digital/streaming) is the latest in a sizable catalog for a band that started as a side project until it became evident something special was happening.

Like The Pretenders and Blondie before them, Guest Directors belong to a certain “scene” (in their case, shoegaze) while still following inspiration wherever it may lead them, ultimately sounding utterly like themselves in each unique song.

“Meet You on the Land” kicks things off with jangle and delay, telling the tale of a mermaid who’s not interested in giving it all up for her prince. “You Are Never” hits hard with a cool swagger reminiscent of Sonic Youth or Unwound. “Now I Know” introduces a post-punk sound to a song that’s a direct answer to Afghan Whigs’ “Gentlemen.”

Increased use of piano on this release gives a warmer sound to slower songs like “So Many Somedays” and “At the Gate.” But the album goes out with a bang in the swirling maelstrom of “What Shapes They Take,” reminding you that this is a band with serious rock - and noise - bonafides.

Overall, Before You Get Broken serves up the entwined guitars, powerful rhythms, thoughtful lyrics, and headphone candy that Guest Directors consistently provide.