On
Sucking in Stereo, the punk-pop of Saratoga, New York, natives
the Figgs continues to draw from a variety of late-'70s through mid-'80s reference points. The catchy guitar pop of "The Wrong Chord" is sprinkled with new wave synth touches, while "Reaction" finds bassist/singer
Pete Donnelly doing his best early
Replacements/
Paul Westerberg. Singer/guitarist Mike Gent's vocals have the same appealing urgency of late-'70s
Elvis Costello or
Graham Parker (whom the group has backed), as evidenced on "Opening Night" and "The Daylight Strong." There's even the bright, catchy essence of
the Go-Go's on several tracks, while "Dance Lesson" is an amphetamine
Stones rocker not unlike something from
the Flamin' Groovies. This is not to say the group is purely derivative, however. The Figgs have been making tight, punchy records with their own sonic stamp for nearly a decade, and
Sucking in Stereo finds them fully in control of their undeniably likable muse. ~ Erik Hage