Fake Problems

How Far Our Bodies Go

{3.5/5}

Florida’s Fake Problems will probably get bucketed with the Lawrence Arms and Against Me! for the negligibly similar jangle that is a part of their sound, but don’t be fooled; this is country-folk punk with surprising identity. Equal parts Violent Femmes, Avail, Descendents, Charlie Daniels and Bill Monroe, How Far is infectious, highly listenable and completely unobtrusive-an admirable feat considering the detail braided throughout its 13 tracks. Tastefully sprinkled horns and fiddle fill out this dirty Southern hootenanny, with frontman Chris Farren’s plaintive vocals charismatically leaping to the front of each song. Though not lacking in any major capacity, How Far is sometimes so laid back it understates Fake Problems’ real talent. As such, this record’s brightest moments come when the band (briefly) pop open-like the last few measures of “Crest On The Chest,” which are downright powerful. (SABOT) Ronen Kauffman