Made up of current members of
Ovlov and a former member of
Palehound,
Pet Fox had serious indie rock cred even before they played a single note. Their first few records gave lie to any claims of nepotism or coattail riding since they were first-class examples of how good it can sound when a band pairs a catchy melody with guitar crunch and a rhythm section that hits as hard as Roberto Duran in his prime. When the trio got around to recording their third album -- and first for the Exploding in Sound label --
A Face in Your Life, they changed up their working method. Instead of using the studio as a tool and stacking the guitars and drums up to get a big, bright sound, they recorded mostly live with minimal overdubs. This move allowed the band to go for feel more than power as they explored a more angular and obtuse way of writing songs. The lead-off track "Settle Even" instantly gives a preview of the sonic alterations as it eases into the sound with Theo Hartlett's guitar sneaking through subtle chord changes as bassist Morgan Luzzi and drummer Jesse Weiss give soft support. When the song threatens to break into a thunderous chorus, they rein it back in and soar instead of crash, then later when Hartlett finally breaks through with an overdriven solo, the release is palpable. It's the work of a band totally in tune with each other, committed to bringing the song to life as a unit. The track is pure emo melancholy, dragged along by Hartlett's tender vocals and sent into orbit at the end when the group rises together in a high-volume climax. This kind of sympathetic, thoughtful, and organic playing and arranging goes on throughout the album. Sometimes the song might be closer to the kind of rumbling, blown-out sound
Ovlov delivers ("Only Warning") or a swaying ballad that sounds like a noisy collision between grunge thud and the paisley underground swirl ("Checked Out"); it could be nimble jangle pop ("It Won't Last") or downcast emo with fragile vocal harmonies ("Stubborn"); it might even be a sweet dream pop love song that could be a lost
Drop Nineteens tune ("Slows Me Down").
Pet Fox take on many variations of indie rock and knock them out of the park with a winning combo of grace and power. It might not be the showiest sound around, and certainly not the newest, but it is satisfying on a sonic and emotional level.
A Face in Your Life is also full of songs that feel destined to be underground classics loved by a select few, but loved quite a bit, shared with friends, and cherished like a secret. ~ Tim Sendra