Devil's Slide

It's apparent that these four musicians have studied at the feet of the masters, poring over albums by the Who, the Kinks, and the Beatles, then learning how to turn their own sweet melodies into crunchy, powerful rock numbers. Unlike other Bay Area bands with similar influences (who really wants to name names?), Carlos' hooks are filled with surprising twists and turns, distinct and intelligent yet never sounding overdone. The group isn't afraid to bust out with some glam-inspired sonic swagger, either; when vocalist Rich Scramaglia sings of his dad's hopes for rock stardom in Papa Star, it's like a louder Mott the Hoople minus the piano. At times they conjure a Pixies-esque sound -- check out all those crazy chord changes on Psalm -- but generally they're a lot more relaxed and poppy than those frenzied Bostonians. They reveal a firm command of their craft, going from the lilting {power pop} of Always on My Side to the retro strut of True Blues with an admirable, swaggering aplomb. Their no-frills instrumentation of two guitars, bass, drums, and vocals makes little flourishes like the woodwinds at the beginning and end of Never Going Back all the more memorable. ~ Will Lerner, All Music Guide