Special thanks to Ben at sonicdissonance.com!

Two people, two samplers and two seven string guitars, that in a nutshell is The Cemetery Improvement Society (out of Madison, WI).

The center of attention here is on the samples and instrumentation. These two guys put some serious work in to crafting their sound. Whether you like or don't like a sound centered around samples isn't really the issue. The issue is how well these two guys play together.

Sure they had a little help here and there with a small smattering of vocalists chipping in, but musically, it's all Marc Claggett and Russell Paul. Imagine if you will Sneaker Pimps or Lo-Fidelity All-Stars performing with even less vocals and throw in a touch of narcosis from Prodigy and you find yourself enveloped in TCIS.

Lonely Dog Island (TCIS' new album released earlier this year) is at its best when TCIS just let it fly. Tracks like "Rice Lake" and "Composure Is A Must"  offer a pure representation of how good this band can be. By allowing themselves to completely get lost in their sound, they've created a very solid album.

The layers of samples dictate exactly where Lonely Dog Island is going, while Claggett and Paul's work with their guitars provides just enough distraction to give the songs more personality.

If I changed anything here, it may be the length. at 16 songs this album is well over an hour in length which can make losing interest a little easier.

Of course, for what TCIS set out to do, create a bright, centerpiece of their sound for the samples/electronic crowd, it's pretty much a can't miss.

Recommended if you like
Lo-Fidelity All Stars
Sneaker Pimps
Prodigy
Moby