They know when to shout to the sky, when to hold back and build pressure, and when to go for the throat. Even when going full-out, there’s never any melodrama.
Comparing The Draft to Hot Water Music is a cowardly way to approach the album. Chris Wollard didn’t alter his songwriting just cuz he’s flying a new banner.
Trey Spruance (Mr. Bungle, Secret Chiefs 3) discovered Estradasphere, a six-piece from Santa Cruz, CA who utilize classical, rock, and ethnic instrumentation.
Pretentious sounds derogatory, but it used to be pretentious to use a cello. This rips from beginning to end, even if they pander to duplicate their last album.
Ric Ocasek did a good job producing, but he rounded off too many edges. The band’s left somewhere between Sugarcult and OK GO with Exploding Hearts’ wardrobe.
It doesn’t engulf you in 100+ degree body heat, hand you a beer, or put an arm around you. You can’t fit that in your car, so this is a good road trip record.
Both beautifully orchestrated quirk-pop with a soaring female vocal, and a trip-hop and world music-inspired Morrissey drowning in over-clever verbosity.
The compositional/functional/found-noise/skronking guitar hum and hollering/bewildered singing are intact. Everything’s sharper, tenser, and wound tighter.