Difference Between Houses and Homes: Lost Songs and Loose Ends 1995-2001

For ardent fans of Omaha, Nebraska's Cursive, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOUSES AND HOMES, a collection of the indie-rock band's rarities from 1995-2001, comes as a welcome addition to the group's catalogue. With the exception of the blistering, Fugazi-like "Nostalgia" from 2001, all of the tracks here are previously unreleased or from seven-inch singles dating back to '95-'98, the era before Ted Stevens replaced guitarist and occasional vocalist Steve Pedersen. Throughout the disc, these early Cursive tunes are urgent, driving, and sometimes downright dissonant, with lead singer/guitarist Tim Kasher often sounding like Weezer's Rivers Cuomo off his meds after an all-night bender. Highlights include the anthemic "Dispenser," which is carried along by jagged guitar lines, and the creepingly slow, melancholy "There's a Coldest Day in Every Year." Along with these rare tracks, HOUSES AND HOMES presents a beautifully rendered story in the album booklet, with words by Kasher and illustrations by Yuriko Yoshino, making it an even more enticing package.