I Bet On Sky

Loud, guitar-driven post-hardcore-indie rock. Three albums into the stride they've been hitting since bassist Lou Barlow's return, these legendary SST alums are tightening up a little and starting to extend feelers away from a (successfully) formulaic sound. Fresh off a low-key, mostly acoustic solo album that nobody but me particularly liked, J Mascis's songwriting has gotten a touch more intricate but retains its knack for weaving genuine sentiment out of a first-grade vocabulary set. FCC clean; start with 2, but 5 through 7 are also golden.   —Andy

1 - (5:31) mid-tempo warm-up track, scribbling guitar and subtle synth/keys
***2 - (4:59) the single, and for good reason; no-nonsense proof that they've got the formula down; antsy chugging guitar and vocal hooks form-fitted to J's croon
3 - (4:50) mellow rollicking verses with guitar holding back until dramatic chorus
4 - (5:21) slower and brooding, J's songwriting front and center, gentle hooks
**5 - (2:50) Lou song! Fast and bouncily angsty, classic Sebadoh-style lyrics
**6 - (4:41) upbeat, great hook, fun wah-heavy guitar, best solo on the album; they even sneak a cowbell in toward the end
**7 - (2:45) extra-fast, intense but joyful, breakneck soloing
*8 - (5:27) sprawling guitar-centric track that would fit well on Farm, occasional cannon-shot percussion accents
*9 - (3:50) Lou again; tender vox and rock guitar balladry
10 - (6:39) the long one; wistful and dramatic