Album Review: Less Is More You Avant Guarde Sonofabitch by If There Be Thorns
Alright, let’s talk about this wild ride of an album. Less Is More You Avant Guarde Sonofabitch dropped in 2009 from the US-based band If There Be Thorns, and man, it’s like someone threw electronic, pop, rock, grindcore, grime, and power pop into a blender and hit "puree." It shouldn’t work, right? But somehow, it kinda does. Released under TRASHFUCK NET (yes, that’s the label name—don’t ask me how they got away with it), this thing is messy, loud, chaotic, and oddly memorable.
First off, can we just take a sec to appreciate the artwork? Props to Patrick Shaun-Robert Doyle for making something that looks like it was designed during a caffeine-fueled all-nighter. The cover art sets the tone perfectly: raw, unpolished, and not trying too hard to impress anyone—which honestly makes it stand out more than some overproduced glossy stuff you see these days.
Now onto the tracks. I’ll be real—I didn’t expect much when I hit play on “Shake That Ass.” Like, c’mon, the title sounds like it belongs in a frat party playlist. But holy crap, this song flips the script so hard. It starts off with this gritty electro beat that feels like your speakers are gonna explode, then BAM, it slams into this grindcore-inspired chaos. Imagine dancing at a rave while simultaneously getting punched in the face by a mosh pit. Weird combo, but it sticks with you. By the end, you’re either headbanging or questioning your life choices. Either way, mission accomplished.
Then there’s “Woody Allen.” Yeah, the title made me roll my eyes at first—who names a song after THAT guy? But again, If There Be Thorns pulls a rabbit outta their hat. This track leans more into the power pop side of things, with catchy hooks and a melody that sneaks up on you. Just as you start bobbing your head, though, the production gets all glitchy and distorted, like someone spilled soda on the mixing board mid-recording. And weirdly enough, it works. It’s fun, unpredictable, and leaves you thinking, “Wait…was that supposed to happen?”
The whole album has this vibe where nothing feels polished or safe, which is refreshing in a world full of cookie-cutter music. Sure, some parts feel like they were recorded in someone’s basement (and maybe they were?), but that DIY attitude gives it charm. Plus, who else is blending grime with electro-pop and making it sound halfway decent? Not many.
Here’s the kicker: listening to this album feels less like entertainment and more like hanging out with a group of friends who are completely unapologetic about being themselves. They don’t care if you “get it” or not—and honestly, neither should you. Just press play, embrace the madness, and enjoy the ride.
Final thought? If you’re looking for something that challenges what music should sound like, give this one a shot. Oh, and if you ever meet the person who came up with the label name TRASHFUCK NET, please tell them I said thanks for keeping things interesting.
