June Of 44: Four Great Points

June Of 44 plays discordant, dynamic, polyrhythmic rock that's remained relatively consistent since its 1995 debut. The band, which is made up of former members of Rodan and Codeine—among about a half-dozen other groups—loves lengthy, complex arrangements interrupted occasionally by Jeff Mueller and Sean Meadows' barked, oblique vocals; in fact, June Of 44's The Anatomy Of Sharks EP features one self-indulgently long track (the 11-minute "Sharks and Sailors") that can either make or kill one of the group's frequent live sets. Four Great Points is simultaneously more of the same and something different: Aside from an analog synth or violin here and there, the band hasn't really changed its approach, but the songs are more forceful, more focused than before. Thanks to Bob Weston's impeccable studio expertise and the group's musicianship, Four Great Points sparkles and explodes in a way none of its predecessors quite managed. "Of Information & Belief" benefits from the aforementioned violin, while everything congeals into one anthemic whole on "Cut Your Face," a rhythmic tour de force which indicates that the drum-and-bass team of Fred Erskine and Doug Scharin is touched by genius.