Album Review: News Of The Whirl EP by Gibson Bros – A Raw, Unpolished Gem
The Gibson Bros’ News Of The Whirl EP, released in 1990 via the indie label Siltbreeze, is a gritty slice of garage rock and lo-fi blues that feels like it was recorded in someone’s basement—because, let’s be honest, it probably was. Hailing from the US, this three-track EP doesn’t aim for perfection but instead embraces imperfections with open arms. It’s raw, unfiltered, and refreshingly human.
Drums are handled by Ellen Hoover, whose beats have an almost primal urgency to them, while Cuntry Jeff Evans lays down guitar riffs so scrappy they feel like they’re about to fall apart at any moment (but somehow never do). And then there’s Don Howland on vocals, delivering lines with a mix of snarl and sincerity that makes you wonder if he’s singing or just venting his frustrations directly into the mic.
Let’s talk tracks. First up, “Radio Remix.” This one sticks out not because it’s polished—it isn’t—but because it captures something intangible. There’s a chaotic energy here, like they took all their musical influences, threw them in a blender, and hit puree. The result? A noisy yet oddly infectious tune that grows on you after repeated listens. You won’t hum it later, but you’ll remember how it made you feel: alive, maybe even a little disoriented. Kinda like walking through a crowded bar where everyone’s shouting over each other but somehow it works.
Then there’s “Broke Down Engine,” which might as well be the theme song for anyone who’s ever had car trouble—or life trouble, for that matter. The lyrics aren’t groundbreaking, but they don’t need to be. What hits home is the way the instrumentation mirrors the frustration of being stuck somewhere you don’t want to be. The guitar squeals and groans like an actual engine giving up the ghost, and Hoover’s drumming adds a sense of relentless forward momentum, even when everything else feels broken.
Now, I gotta say, this EP isn’t gonna appeal to everyone. If you’re looking for pristine production or radio-friendly hooks, keep moving. But if you appreciate music that wears its heart on its sleeve—and maybe has a few stains on its shirt—you’ll find plenty to love here. Tracks like these remind us that sometimes the best art comes from limitations, not despite them.
In hindsight, News Of The Whirl EP feels less like a collection of songs and more like a snapshot of a specific time and place—a bunch of friends making noise together without worrying too much about what anyone else thought. And honestly? That’s kinda beautiful. Who knew garage rock could sound so… messy and perfect at the same time?
