Despite the downright gorgeous silkscreened packaging, the recording quality on the tape (and this is coming from a fan of the format) was a smidge too muddy for my tastes. Thankfully, it also comes with a download code for what looks to be the band’s entire discography to this point. And, holy shit, what a surprise. Muscular pop songs that nod respectfully to both Hüsker Dü and Naked Raygun’s sense of structure and melody. Hell, songs like “(s)Pain” and “Time Lord” could have been buddies with J Church in the era when Broken Rekids was getting the Camels… singles comp together. Their only downfall is their tendency to noodle a bit too much—tunes like “Black Bag” and “Trails” almost, almost suffocate under the weight of the wankery—but other than that, these are some seriously good, reaching songs. Recommended.
–keith (Big Purple)