Photo by Sean Peoples

It’s hard being a band from the District in a post-Fugazi world, but the trio known as Imperial China manage to take two steps forward on their full-length debut, How We Connect, while still making the occasional nod to the band that helped influence their blistering post-punk sound.

How We Connect comes out swinging. With a hook, jab and uppercut suite of songs (“Limbs”, “In A House With A Head”, “Revolter”), the trio deliver a staggering blow in the first 12 minutes. There isn’t much letting up after that: during the 41-minute LP, the band barely comes up for air as they pummel the listener into submission with their swirling guitars and pounding drums.

But when they do, the results are surprising and make for the band’s best work to date. Album standout “Bird Calls” repeats the mantra “Bird calls / To me / Bird calls / It’s up to me” as the band creates a hypnotic slow-burner. Brian Porter’s lyrics work best as simple statements of purpose instead of the wordier couplets he spills in earlier songs. That said, you don’t need to pay much attention to Porter’s lines. The singing works more as another instrument in the mix rather than a guide to feeling in these songs.

Last week, the Washington City Paper published its “Answers Issue“. One of the questions answered was the oft-heard complaint from people who don’t pay attention, “Why do D.C. bands suck so much now?“. This past Saturday, said scene showed up in force for Sockets Records’ showcase at the Black Cat. If Imperial China’s set that night and this album are any indication, we shouldn’t be hearing these kind of complaints much longer.