Rolling Blackouts (Bonus Track Version)

iTunes Review

In the decade or so since Ian Parton switched the Go! Team’s ignition to “on”, he and his bandmates have pretty much stayed faithful to their original vision. On Rolling Blackouts, their third full-length release, they make a small adjustment, and trade in some of the ‘70s cultural accents for a stronger indie-pop sensibility. There are still blaring horns, sirens, whistles and Ninja’s powerful hip-hop vocal styles (though the thrilling “Bust-Out Brigade” is an instrumental), but on songs like the twinkling “Secretary Song”, and the delightful “Buy Nothing Day” and “Ready to Go Steady” (the latter featuring French artist Lipsector), it’s all strings, tambourines and reverb-swathed vocals. “Rolling Blackouts” is a guitar-driven indie rocker, and “The Running Range” has a huge, churning groove that’s easy to get lost in. The Go! Team’s exuberant, controlled chaos still reigns, though, and songs like “T.O.R.N.A.D.O” and “Apollo Throwdown” burst at the seems with good times ready to be had. Deerhoof’s Satomi Matsuzaki and Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino also make guests appearances.