Indianapolis indie rockers Margot & The Nuclear So And Sos' fourth studio album is a gruff, dense listen that balances their excellent songwriting chops against their desire to crank up the distortion for a heavier sound. The album groans to an oddly compelling start, with the burly wash of guitars swept over the mellow shoegazer vocals of Richard Edwards on "Disease Tobacco Free", as the band throws a restrained tantrum in the distance. By the time Edwards finally climbs above the fray with a more assertive vocal toward the song's conclusion, they already have you. Fuzzed out guitars and a screeching wail introduce the menacing stomp of "Shannon", as Edwards warns, "I don't want to be your friend, Shannon / I want to drag the river, drink myself dry / But I don't want to be your friend, Shannon", over a maniacal swarm of fanged riffs and wild-eyed backing singers for one of the album's most memorable listens.
The band's ability to weave gorgeous folk-rock shines on "Frank Left", with cello, a lightly tapping beat, and a foreboding electric snarl over the gingerly picked acoustic. The album has a knack for balancing lovable narratives against absurdity. The strange sweetness shooting through the jabbing pulse of piano and guitar on fantastic "Prozac Rock" evaporates immediately on deranged love song "Journalist Falls In Love", as Edwards delivers a chilling narrative of a reporter falling for a serial killer over an eerie piano and acoustic guitar backing, "I couldn't breathe, it was true love indeed / But now my grim prince is gone". Only Edwards could get away with the distorted thrust telling the tale of Lithuanian basketball star "Arvydas Sabonis" one moment and the pristine glimmering ode to head- wear on "Coonskin Cap" the next. Margot & The Nuclear So And Sos remain one of the most interesting and enjoyable bands going on their excellent new album.
Seek - "Shannon", "Prozac Rock", "Books About Trains"
For fans of - Dr. Dog
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