I refer to the underwear I wear when I am getting some as “victory shorts.” Not really, but I think I will now. Absentee are quite present on this full-length offering of standard modern rock fare, reminiscent of mainstream Sebadoh, only with fleeting female backing vocals.
“The Nurses Don’t Notice a Thing” has great back-and-forth jangly guitar and vocals. I don’t know what the song is about, but it’s a lot of fun. I would love to play this on Rock Band. It’s just so smooth and easy.
Sometimes the lead singer gets a little carried away with his gravelly voice, however. “Love Has Had Its Way” is almost a little too dry and scratchy, like those towels in the motel room in the Verizon Wireless commercial. “We Smash Plates” sounds like the same song. They are both ballads, but they are also indistinguishable.
I am happiest with Melinda Bronstein’s backing vocals. They complement the lead singer’s voice well but also would stand alone if given the chance.
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