Back in the ‘80s, the Meat Puppets represented a southwestern take on indie rock that managed to remain true to its own eclectic country and blues roots while saluting punk and classic rock. The Kirkwood brothers, Cris and Curt, worked a synergistic groove that made their playing simultaneously tight and slacking stoner. The brothers reunited with new drummer Ted Marcus for 2007’s Rise to Your Knees and continue the good feeling with 2009’s Sewn Together where they put together a surprisingly tasteful and restrained affair where the vibe matures if not quite grows up. “Blanket of Weeds” crushes through with near powerchords while a psychedelic undercurrent hides beneath the surface and emerges with the guitar solo. “I’m Not You” works a western lope with buzzing, hyperstatic guitars chiming throughout. “Go to Your Head” is a sweetly brooding ballad underpinned by dramatic guitars and swelling keyboards that yearns with the angst and sorrow of the band’s finest work. Over twenty years on, Meat Puppets have re-found if not the fountain of youth, at least their creative center.