They define themselves as "raw rock." Fitting enough, but in layman's terms, Showbread is somewhere between pop/punk and hardcore. It almost seems unnatural to say "pop/punk/hardcore," but that's what it amounts to. The amusingly titled No Sir, Nihilism Is Not Practical is a thirteen track journey through the creative minds of the seven, yes seven, individuals that make up the band.

Screaming is common, but not exclusive. It's sometimes combined with a voice simply speaking the words that are being screamed. Ivory Mobley and Josh Dies combine their vocal abilities to give Showbread a voice that is almost bipolar in it's formula. You simply don't know what lies past the next door. Things do slow down at times, however, coming to an almost halt on one occasion.

Some of the band's best moments are actually when things are toned down a notch and the band possesses that pop/punk feel. But they are truly gifted in the hardcore department, but they add their own unique feel to everything they touch. For example, Showbread's sound isn't simply confined to guitars. A key-tar keeps the music going, as well as synthesizers that almost give the disc a, and I am reluctant to even suggest this, techno feel at times.

With song titles ranging from "A Llama Eats a Giraffe (And Vice Versa)" to "If You Like Me Check Yes, If You Don't I'll Die," it's quite apparent in just about every department that Showbread is trying to do things a little bit differently. Their "take no prisoners" approach to lyrics is especially noticeable (A song about gossip is entitled "Mouth Like a Magazine"). No subject is off limits, and Showbread brings all to the forefront and deals with each in a down-to-earth manner that just begs to be heard.

This is an obnoxious, raucous, and mind-blowing fifty-four minutes of music that rarely slows down. Most definitely not for all, but the urgency and energy will most definitely make fans out of many. Showbread is the kind of band you just know has to put on an amazing live show, and I anticipate the day that I can see it.

- Review date: 10/18/04, written by Josh Taylor