Top
music
Stories
Blogs
Your Baseball Season Guide to Pre- and Post-Game Eats and Drinks in Arlington
By Lauren Drewes Daniels
Nothing else sounds like Pinback and, for that alone, the San Diego duo deserves a fucking medal. Its wistfully propulsive weaves of articulate bass, understated guitar, beatbox (or beatbox-inspired) grooves and conversing voices come from a place of both contentment and disquiet, at once transmitting optimism's comforting glow and the clanking chill of solitude. Rob Crow and Zac Smith are staring into space the morning after, yet their view is pristine.
Last year's Autumn of the Seraphs is a more consistent if less spectacular continuation of Pinback's breakthrough third album, 2004's Summer in Abaddon, and (despite the respective titles) it actually finds the band somewhat merrier. There's something almost around-the-campfire communal about the pair's vocal interplay, yet the math-y musicality and Rolex rhythms still evoke first-generation video games and, occasionally, possessed cash registers.
Don't be misled by the act's multipiece, instrument-swapping live incarnation (or prog-worthy album titles): Pinback's songs are painstakingly choreographed, precision-guided expressions, not meandering jam-band gumbos. This is intelligent, gorgeously muted music for functioning stoners and oversensitive boys and girls everywhere.
Find everything you're looking for in your city
Find the best happy hour deals in your city
Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%
Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city
