Running on a full tank of great galloping fuzzed-out anthems,
The Contrail's second full-length release is a powerhouse indie rock album. While some tracks break from the pack, like the dreamy pop of "Glass of Water" and the humming bittersweet coda "Scissor Shear," they are at their best with the dense chugging guitar attack of "Queen of Diligence" and the sonic crunch of the sing-songy "Prime Ideals." While generally drawing comparisons to
Guided By Voices and various Elephant 6 bands, strains of early punk, some mod, and a good dose of garage raunchiness is communicated through their sound. Happily unpredictable, songs like the title track break into choruses of "yeah"s, while vocals get swept under waves of distortion, and drums slam like giant car doors. Impressively tuneful and completely realized, this is the kind of release that hints at better things to come.