Creators of some of the most intricately and expertly woven indie rock of the 2000s,
Pinback don't disappoint with their fourth record,
Autumn of the Seraphs. As twin cogs Zach Smith and
Rob Crow have matured, they've grown from (slightly) meandering mopes to expert constructors of songs that reveal hidden layers with nearly every listen. Acolytes of
the Police, the group channel their energy into a fluid dynamic of songwriting, performance, and production. "From Nothing to Nowhere" is a driving opener, but from there
Pinback go in unexpected directions. Early highlights "Barnes" and "Good to Sea" twist a recipe of individual ingredients -- wistful harmonies, plangent basslines, spidery guitars, and wry lyrics ("it's good to see you...it's good to see you go") -- into an excellent dish. Aside from their own majority contributions, the duo get help from a pair of drummers -- Mario Rubalcaba (
Rocket from the Crypt,
Hot Snakes, Sea of Tombs) and Chris Prescott (
No Knife) -- and use programmed beats on several tracks. The effect is a good one, since
Pinback have always relied on the precision of their arrangements and their wintry sound to carry the effect of their dour songs. ~ John Bush