What started as a self-recorded acoustic endeavor,
Ratboys founders
Julia Steiner and
David Sagan soon amplified their unhurried, reflective songs, adding full drums and distortion to the jangle, and channeling influences like
the Breeders and
the Dodos as much as
Wilco and
Jenny Lewis. Nearly a decade into their musical partnership, their third full-length,
Printer's Devil, continues a gradual trend toward a broader, more robust sound. It was recorded at Decade Music Studios in Chicago with
Erik Rasmussen, who co-produced with the band, and represents their first album with drummer
Marcus Nuccio (
Dowsing,
Pet Symmetry). There's a little something for everyone here in terms the range between those influences, with heavier, grungier tracks such as "Clever Hans" and churning opener "Alien with a Sleep Mask On" interspersed with sparer songs like the elegant acoustic entry "A Vision." The bulk of the ten tracks, however, land somewhere in between. Hitting a sweet spot is "My Hands Grow," a warm, foot-tapping offering that features distortion-tinged guitar countermelodies that cut through the twang and rhythmic jangle as
Steiner's gentle, lilting vocals offer sentiments like "I know that it's hard to cry sometimes" and "I know that it's hard to feel my love." The quirkier "Victorian Slumhouse" has a wistful chord palette and guitar riffs that play like slowed-down power pop. Later,
Steiner's delivery takes on the relaxed twang of the alternative country-rock ballad "Listening." As a whole,
Printer's Devil is both stronger and sweeter than their prior sets, likely resulting in a more lasting impression for casual listeners and a surefire hit for established fans.