Poisonous Times

Album Review

Jack White's influence looms large on the Old Haunts' third effort, but Poisonous Times rarely take its cues from the White Stripes' rock or the Raconteurs' poppy songcraft. Instead, the album seemingly re-imagines Jack White's role in Cold Mountain, adding rockabilly guitars, booming cymbal crashes, and haunting ballads to his character's country-tinged songs and distinctive vocal whine. As a result, the Old Haunts are as unique here as they've ever been, and these 12 tracks wink at the band's influences while simultaneously exploring new territory. It doesn't hurt that drummer Tobi Vail — former Bikini Kill member and one of Olympia's most active musical figures — is now a member of the group, bringing the Haunts' total to five percussionists over the course of three albums. Her playing is loose but not messy, energetic but not flashy, and tracks like "Not Hopeless" allow her to alternate between military-style snare rolls and furious tom tom thunder. While the Old Haunts have traditionally prized Scott Seckington's bass as their main rhythmic instrument, Vail's strong presence helps the group inch closer to the "power trio" moniker. But as the handful of drum-less ballads indicate, this is still the Craig Extine show, whether he's getting in touch with his inner Robert Plant on the album's opener, "Volatile," or fingerpicking his way through the slow 'n' swampy "Hung Up on the Down Side." Brief instances of ethereal background vocals pop up throughout the album, and Extine occasionally overdubs his guitar to add extra depth and crunch. They're subtle flourishes, to be sure, but they also add diversity to Poisonous Times without threatening the band's gritty, hard-hitting garage rock.