Urochromes - Trope House [CD]

On their first long player, Urochromes complement their catchy-as-fuck punk bangers with colorful experimental rock that choogles forth like the waters of the Mississippi River Delta where it was recorded. There are classic Urochromes chargers like first single "Hair So Big" and the catchy kiss-off "Millieux" that pair Dick Riddick's concise and explosive guitar playing with some of frontman Jackie "Jackieboy" McDermott's best sketches of uptight, paranoid characters on the edge. "Rumshpringa" plays it straight with a beautiful slow-burning riff and soul-searching lyrics ("When do I get my Rumshpringa?... / I want to lean back in time like that Tower of Pisa"); it's a new Urochromes classic where Riddick's licks spark and lilt through the bridge toward the closing verse's poignant refrain. These more restrained, contemplative moments balance out the uninhibited tenacity of the rest of the album-not something every (punk) band is capable of achieving when they jump to the LP format. Combining the authentic sound of Gary Wrong's Jeth-Row Studios with the engineering talents of longstanding Urochromes engineer Will Killingsworth (Dead Air Studios), Trope House delivers the most hi-fidelity Urochromes recording to date without sacrificing any spontaneity or raw power.