This is the second band (Kill Me Tomorrow was the other) in as many months that takes elements of early Cure – the swaying rhythms, more than a couple of guitar lines, and mopey wry-smile vocals – and turn them on their ear for a satisfying, updated effect. The entire affair, instead of being plugged into the gray clouds, feels less theatric (it’s not glam mope) than the Cure. It’s not frenetic but it’s not super polished and the slower parts build a nice atmosphere that’s dense and you get the feeling that a ton of original thought went into these songs, much like The Starvations newest record.
–todd (Contaminated)