Bleed It Dry

Album Review

Despite frequent lineup changes, Portland, OR's Pinehurst Kids still rock with some of the best emo-pop from the Northwest. Bleed It Dry finds the band leaning more toward the indie rock side of the emo spectrum, but the true story behind the band's name (casualties resulting from a lead leak in Pinehurst, ID) make up for any lack of fire in the melodies. Underpinnings of Foo Fighters and Built to Spill abound, while "The Onceler," marked by Joe Davis' teenage-angst yell, is one of the few moments that Pinehurst Kids stay true to the emo form. Whether or not this is due to production from Larry Crane (whose credits include Elliott Smith and Sleater-Kinney), this solid effort doesn't lose its vision of lovelorn relationships and jumpy tempos.