Angsty indie rock, full sound, anthem feel. Pedestrian Verse’s tracks are filled with lots of self-deprecating lyrics, with darker/negative imagery and religious questioning, set to catchy, upbeat indie anthem rock. While it can get a bit much (“I’m just dying to be unhappy again”), Scott Hutchison’s lyrics are nicely crafted, despite the band’s tendency to have repetitive chorus lines. Most tracks deliver a big, full sound, with Hutchison’s Scottish brogue wavering confessional lyrics overhead. Sounds like: Idlewild, Fanfarlo, Mumford and Sons. FCCS: 1, 6, 8, 9, 12. Play: 3, 5, 10.

1. (4:54) Acts of Man – FCC Opens with ballad piano, midtempo, picks up with lots of percussion and builds but doesn’t really go anywhere
2. (3:10) Backyard Skulls – Vocals take the lead here, slightly nasal edge, upbeat, big rock sound with glitchy, video-game guitar runs
3. (3:39) Holy*** - Upbeat, celebratory, relentless guitar throughout, lots of cymbal crashes, abrupt ending
4. (3:28) The Woodpile – Switches back and forth between pensive/downtempo and bigger, edgier chorus, more urgent vocals
5. (4:02) Late March, Death March* – Sparser percussion, added acoustic guitar layer and hand clapping, vocals repeat hoarse chant at the end
6. (4:10) December’s Traditions – FCC Urgent bass drum, vocals exposed, complicated guitar licks below
7. (1:31) Housing – Pulsing guitar, pleading lyrics, echo effect on vocals, drives to a close, ends abruptly
8. (4:08) Dead Now – FCC Midtempo, exposed vocals with shuffle beat, percussion takes the lead
9. (4:37) State Hospital – FCC Ballad feel, vocals are main focus, driving percussion, bit melodramatic
10. (3:10) Nitrous Gas** – Acoustic guitar, takes a break from the big rock sound, confessional vocals, choral harmony rounds out lead singer’s voice well, builds slightly from quieter opening
11. (1:04) Housing – Refrain of #7 with percussion instead of guitar taking the spotlight
12. (4:40) The Oil Slick** – FCC More personal lyrics, reflects on making music, dirty guitar sound, slightly more folk influence, chorus builds up to celebratory peak