Karate: In Place Of Real Insight

The Massachusetts band Karate constantly wrestles with an inherent contradiction: Its music is rooted in what's commonly regarded as "emo-rock," but it's probably the most restrained, understated band in the genre. Listen to Karate's second album, In Place Of Real Insight, and you'll hear more meandering and chiming than emoting, and though the songs always seem ready to burst into cacaphony at any time, they never quite fully get there. It's not that Karate doesn't scatter explosive moments throughout the nine-song, 30-minute album—"It's 98 Stop" is pretty furious—but most of In Place Of Real Insight is about standing around boiling, clenching your fists in anticipation of an energy burst. It's an intense, therapeutic feeling, and Karate capitalizes on it nicely here. For a non-stop emo-rock adrenaline kick, try a Jawbox or Boys Life record; for something more subdued and subtle, this will do the trick nicely.