Review / 200 Words Or Less
Stella Research Committee
A Proposed Method for Determining Sanding Fitness

Independent (2021) T

Stella Research Committee – A Proposed Method for Determining Sanding Fitness cover artwork
Stella Research Committee – A Proposed Method for Determining Sanding Fitness — Independent, 2021

Labels like Amphetamine Reptile and Skin Graft Records and the “now wave” and noise rock avalanche they launched has served as an immense source of inspiration for a myriad of bands.

Listening to Stella Research Committee’s fifth LP, they do not only seem to be overly familiar with the output of the aforementioned label rosters, but have channelled those influences into their own brand of refreshingly chaotic, seemingly improvised noise rock, infused with rockabilly, synthesizer and electronic sounds, surf rock and the nuances that made bands like Sonic Youth appealing.

Killdozer, Dazzling Killmen, Suicide, Flying Luttenbachers and Scratch Acid come to mind with their more straight forward songs, while Dick Dale would have been proud of how the trio manages to effortlessly weave in spring reverb and rapid alternate picking characteristics.

Deliberately messy in their approach and with a nuanced, hypnotic nod to textured yet minimalist kraut rock, Stella Research Committee deviate from tried and teste and carve their own path of musical strangeness.

A primal noise assault that deconstructs, condenses sounds to their very essence that manages the keep up the tension of its delivery and listeners on their toes over the duration of the full length by forcefully meandering and trampling from crescendo to crescendo.

7.0 / 10T • July 20, 2021

Stella Research Committee – A Proposed Method for Determining Sanding Fitness cover artwork
Stella Research Committee – A Proposed Method for Determining Sanding Fitness — Independent, 2021

Recently-posted album reviews

Between the Buried and Me

The Blue Nowhere
Inside Out (2025)

Between The Buried And Me are seasoned vets to the progressive metalcore, electronic, prog (whatever other genre they bend) scene and continue to drop album after album. Their career started back in 2000 from the ashes of one of the greatest metalcore bands of all time (in my humble opinion), Prayer For Cleansing. As the band has progressed over the … Read more

The Beths

Straight Line Was A Lie
Anti (2025)

Dear Beths, Congratulations on the new release. I’ve been reflecting on our relationship and, as I’ve recently started to write about music again, have been asked to share my thoughts with you. First and foremost, I want to say that this isn’t easy for me. I cherish your album Future Me Hates Me from 2018. The title track alone is … Read more

East End Redemption

Crashing Down
Independent (2025)

Who would’ve thought that from the land of lobsters and blueberries, you’d find a punk band? East End Redemption is a four-piece band that brings their flavor of punk from Portland, Maine to the masses with their eleven song, debut full-length album, Crashing Down. They mix elements of skate punk, power pop, and even hints of hardcore punk. The band … Read more