A debut of great finesse by this seasoned pro New York supergroup of Stephen Malkmus (Pavement and Jicks), Matt Sweeney (Chavez), Emmett Kelly (The Cairo Gang) and Jim White with a marvellously muscular collection of new indie, rock, blues, post-punk, and also beautiful Byrds-like numbers. All have variously played together in the past, and their blend feels seamless, variously taking the lead in this very tight musical unit. There’s a range to their styles from the excellent rock tones of Chrome Mess, the strongly Jicks-style and Malkmus-led of Earth Hater, while Rio’s Song feels like a timeless folk-rock number with Malkmus guitar and White’s drum fills, and Our Hometown Boy has sweet Byrds-style vocal harmonies. Renegade meanwhile stirs up a punk menace, perhaps also with shades of The Stooges, but Heel Highway is gentle acoustic bluesy folk, followed similarly by Killed By The Highway. There’s a gentler middle section to the album, but overall there’s a please changes of pace, hardness and softness, and lead vocalists without losing any quality. It Suits You is another has a dark, fragile quality with a pitter-patter of drums like rain. Overall a gripping, great and arresting album of 15 songs played by four veterans with fabulous synergy and musicianship. Out on Matador Records.
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