Sentence:  Intertwining, staccato rhythmic patterns by <WSD>overdriven</WSD> guitars and basses — the kind of thing that makes rock critics say “angular” in their sleep — used to be merely a sign of semi-competence; now it's a trademark post-punk device with 30 years of formidable history. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Characteristic of overdrive