THE NODS

Static Pop

Castrati Music

Sun Rating: 4 out of 5
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Judging from interviews, even The Nods are a little divided as to whether their new album is poppier than previous outings. But lest you fear the band took a detour into Justin territory, rest assured the disc still finds them in ferocious garage-rock form. A polished, retro-sounding (and OK, pretty pop-influenced) rocker, Static Pop documents the musical growth spurt the band has undergone lately. Uh Huh opens with a Zep-like dino-riff, before clearing the way for frontman Jonathan Broeska to wail over a droning stoner-rock chorus. The rest of the album is chock-a-block with similar sonic victories, notably the rhythmic dance-rock of Surrenderin' and Whatever it Is, the Kinksian jangle-pop of Talk About It, and the bottom-heavy fuzz of When You Go Away. Categorize it how you like -- Static Pop is a keeper.