Setting aside the persistent desire to bash and grind their way through every hard-fought inch of their songs for a more dynamic approach, POUND WI (no comma, please) prove one can dial back the volume without sacrificing impact. It’s not a new phenomenon, by any means, and neither is the trio’s music without its predecessors, but there are far fewer bands than you think who combine such hellaciously thudding sonic bombardment with gentle stretches of near-silence and trembling melody like what was caught on tape and named I’ve Got A Terrible Secret.

Copper Press 

True to its Midwestern origins, Pound WI stands proud with one foot in the lurching, feedback-laden crunch of Tar and Shellac, and the other planted in the subdued introspection of emo-core. It’s a rich combination, though ironically, it may be this very duality keeping the Madison, Wis., trio from finding its niche on a national scale. If there’s justice in the indie world, I’ve Got a Terrible Secret is the album to finally carry this band to the next level. The disc begins with the infectious “Electrons and Paper,” a Nirvana-esque blast of rock glory with hooks galore. Then comes the silent thunder of “Oncology,” a dramatic dissection of self at home on any Slint record � it’s really that good. The boys of Pound WI have proven their years in service to the indie rock dream have been very well-spent.

Rockpile 

Hard-edged but hardly hard-core, Pound WI have morphed into an entirely different entity after abandoning the stop-start assault they’d inherited from Chicago noise-rock heroes Big Black and Tar. Now moodier and, at times, rather metallic, the local veterans have embraced the chest-clutching emotionalism long favored by the shy-boy side of indie. That won’t please noise-rockers, who continue to set great stock in the misanthropic power of the sneering put-down and the self-involved scream. But, hey, stasis equals creative death. On its new CD, I’ve Got a Terrible Secret, singer-guitarist Russell Hall is at his best during gauzy, emotive tracks like “Oncology” and the curt instrumental “Unasked,” both of which manipulate dynamics to excellent effect. His truly tortured performance on the propulsive lead cut, “Electrons and Paper,” is also utterly engaging. Pound WI still pitches plenty of angst and cranks up the arrhythmic guitars from time to time, but this is a mature effort, one that bodes well for future projects.

The Isthmus

The latest release by these Wisconsin natives should boost them up the ladder of indy rock bands. “I’ve Got A Terrible Secret” is 11 tracks of pure noisy rock with just maybe a hint of hardcore waiting to breaking through. The CD features a blend of catchy songs more along the lines of melodic pop (tracks 1 and 4) and heavier, more aggressive tracks (3 and 10) all played with the Pound WI touch. The band, formerly known as Pound, also includes “When Does Cry”, a track loosely based on a song by the Artist, formerly known as Prince. The musical progression and versatility of the band is shown on this, their latest CD. These guys are a band you definitely need to check out.

Ontario Music