--Ada Wofford
----Released 4 December 2020
One of our first reviews of 2020 was Stationary Giant's debut EP, Sincerely, Philly. Now, on the other side of the most tumultuous year of our generation, Stationary Giant emerge with their follow up, American Hutzpah. Another three tracks of gut-punch rock with schizophrenic arrangements.
Stationary Giant have made good use of their lockdown time, refining their production skills and developing their song writing. American Hutzpah shows a genuine growth from Sincerely, Philly in both the creativity of arrangements and the level of production. This is made all the more impressive when I learned that they used all the same gear that we documented in our review of Sincerely, Philly.
The band often flirts with hardcore by employing heavy riffs with both members screaming lyrics in unison; and sometimes they break off and do a call-and-response thing as well. What's most impressive about Stationary Giant is their ability to seamlessly jump from math rock, to hardcore, to pop punk. These transitions are most noticeable on the track "A Mans Grit Can Be Measured By The Quality of His Chinese Food Order" [sic]. Not only is that one of the best titles I've ever encountered but its use of arrangements is spectacular.
This little EP clocks in at just under seven minutes but there's no lack of musical quantity. The songs are jam packed and demand multiple listens. If you like loud, heavy, schizophrenic rock music, you're going to love American Hutzpah. Both EPs are available now on Band Camp for whatever you're willing to pay. Being as it's the holidays, I encourage you to be generous and support the band.