Pinback

Autumn Of The Seraphs

[4.5/5]

With Autumn Of The Seraphs, their fourth proper full-length, Pinback hardly need to prove themselves. Regardless, seconds into album opener “From Nothing To Nowhere,” the band deliver an argument convincing enough to eliminate any debate. A driving, mid-tempo cruise launches Autumn with a rolling melody and a staccato chorus invoking a fascinating collision of “Catholic Block”-style Sonic Youth and the Buzzcocks. Following tracks ease up on the accelerator, opening up some room between the instruments. While at times the effect can be predictable indie pop (“Barnes”), other moments (“Good To Sea,” “Subbing For Eden”) glow with an artfully subdued groove shared by such disparate cousins as Wire, the Postal Service and The Argument-era Fugazi. Pinback carefully avoid the masturbatory gutter of overplaying while boasting some of the crispest rhythm-section work this side of a jazz legend (part of the credit may be due to the addition of ex-Rocket From The Crypt drummer Mario Rubalcaba). Continuing in the fine tradition of Three Mile Pilot, Autumn represents Pinback’s strongest album to date. (TOUCH AND GO) Mike McKee

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