Chimers “Through Today” 2024. 12XU Records. VERY limited edition reissue, tour version on green vinyl, signed/hand-drawn album art. We picked this LP from the Australian post-punk/noise rock duo last week when they opened for The Saints at the Metro in Chicago. Literally hot off the presses, the band had picked up the pressing that same day and we got one of the 30 pressed (28 for sale/hand numbered, 2 for the band’s own collection). Through Today is the husband-and-wife guitar/drums duo’s second LP; their first s/t album was released in 2021. Their sound is loud, heavy, mostly melodic both live and on wax. I really wanted to fall in love with this band but, just like the show, they are very one-note. Exciting for a song or two and then…well, I just lost interest. I love fast and loud but each song seemed to hover tensely at maximum. Having not heard of them prior to the Saints show, I wasn’t familiar with their material but I’m pretty confident they played several songs from Through Today including “Timber,” “Everything’s Green,” and “Gossip.” Probably “Shadow Boxing” too, which reminds me of a shouty Dinosaur Jr. song and “Glossary” which reminds me of shouty Sonic Youth (with, like, two notes for the whole song. I’m exaggerating but not by a lot). They do slow down once on Through Today, for the breathily atmospheric “An Echo” –  there’s a violin cameo which, along with the different vocals (maybe drummer Binx singing?) gives the track a bit of a Velvet vibe.