Minnesota Hotel

Album Review

While there should be more variety and experimentation in sound here — it's like the three people here ran through their entire live set in the studio without ever once changing the level on any of the amps or distortion boxes — Minnesota Hotel is yet another testament to unstoppable indie rock desire. Singer/guitarist Joe Davis has a potent voice, with lots of edge coming up through his larynx, which complements the buzzing, slightly fuzzy guitar melee he belts out. His mates, bassist Caleb Gates and drummer Robler Kind, match him in direct drive and total forward motion, turning the mainly average songwriting and approach into something far more imposing than they should be. It's precisely because these boys can play out of their shoes, and because it's apparent how much they love to play, that this CD tips out of the glut of guitar bands. And when they turn up the tempo and begin to blast in real post-punkish fury, as on the totally kicking "Brick" and the opening "Switch," they rise to the level of greatness.