On this D.C. quartet's inaugural LP, there's precious little of the influences (
My Bloody Valentine,
David Bowie,
Radiohead,
Ride) that were whispered about after the 2005 release of their debut EP, The Unimpeachable. Instead, it sounds like they've steeped themselves in their own town's rich indie music traditions. In fact, were
I Am Magically Happening! recorded by J. Robbins, Ted Nicely, or Ian MacKaye with Don Zientara at Inner Ear (where
Alphabetical Order formerly worked) and released on Dischord, it would be instantly hailed as a great post-punk indie rock burner in the tradition of the third wave
Fugazi/
Jawbox/
Shudder to Think/
High-Back Chairs/
Severin/
Gray Matter tradition. It's got urgent, tightly wound post-punk guitars, ultra-rhythmic, propulsive bass and drums, Gavin Dunaway's forceful, highly enunciated vocals, and tunes. ~ Jack Rabid