Gods Reflex

When It’s Down To This

After two brilliant albums of highly literate, emotional punk, Gods Reflex disbanded in 2003, a fraction too soon to be fully appreciated by anyone outside of the Northern Illinois underground. Luckily, three-fourths of the band reconvened for When It’s Down To This, their third and most-realized album. GR’s sound is the middle ground between Jawbreaker (ca. Dear You) and Armor For Sleep (ca. What To Do When You Are Dead); while the reformed band lack guitarist/(delightfully off-key) vocalist Phil Goudreau, the remaining members–vocalist/bassist Zach Newman, guitarist Marcus Spitzmiller and drummer Jesse Carmona–adapted into a formidable power trio. Down’s title track will haunt you with its aching guitar lead; Newman’s fiercely delivered “Wake up, wake up, wake up/You’re an accident” makes “A Chance In Disaster” a gem; and the tasteful use of keys in “The Weight Of Our Words” and “We Are Such Strangers” recall late-period Rainer Maria. This is a truly beautiful album worthy of your time.

Self-released http://www.myspace.com/godsreflex