MINERVA STRAIN "Moccasin" + 2

Jettison

Second single from Minerva Strain, a Chapel Hill pop band (by Jettison standards, anyway) clearly more comfortable in the studio than on stage. Each song here has a different vocalist, protecting them from easy categorization. "Mocassin" (guitarist Andy Shull's song) has the hypnotic guitar-thing going. Wimpy but trance-inspiring. "Helmet" (bassist Nick Lingg's song) is a straight-forward, dumb-but-funny, rocker. The big prize, however, goes to guitarist Jason Summers' "Cargo Cult," a twisted, schitzoblast alternating between AmRep-worthy hooks and the Strain's Creation-inspired noodling. More great stuff from the veteran WXYC management squad. Carrie McLaren

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