Following two full-length albums on Sub Pop, the San Francisco band Vue signed to RCA Records. Its 2003 EP Babies Are for Petting was released as a precursor to its 2004 LP Down for Whatever. The band once again worked with analog production Jedi Davy Vain, but on RCA’s dime the acclaimed Don Was also sat in the mixing chair, giving these songs congruence in sound to the blown-out garage-rock scene of the early '00s. As a result, tunes like the opening “Look Out for Traffic” display a songwriting brilliance that’s overshadowed by an overtly throwback mix, which sounded like the band was being groomed to be the next White Stripes. Frontman Rex Shelverton (now with dream-pop chanteuse Tamaryn) sings some of his best performances here. Over a “Lust for Life” beat and guitar work that plays like The Brian Jonestown Massacre ripping off The Rolling Stones' “The Last Time," he balances lascivious tension with an aloof cool. The title track is mixed with a similar throwback style as guitars jangle, chime, and howl with retro aplomb.