Sounds: Piano-driven pop with sweet harmonies, jangly guitar rock with twangy touches and ramshackle roots rock.
Lyrics: Suicidal impulses, despair, unclean living and general negativity disguised in bright melodies.
Playlist Partners: ‘90s Wilco, The New Pornographers, Ben Folds, Elvis Costello and the Attractions, R.E.M.
Heavy Rotation tracks: None
Medium Rotation tracks: “Rifle Called Goodbye“; “My Life As A Creep“; “Cemetery Row” (featuring Colin Meloy of The Decemberists on lead vocals); “Out There On the Maroon“
Recommended: Though there are twisted and amusing lyrical gems throughout and the music is consistently strong, many songs lack memorable hooks or are little more than a hook and a groove. This is a notch below the Minus 5’s standard.
Grade: B-

(As posted 3/20/06 on davepowersmusic.com)
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