Modern Vices

Brittle, moderately fuzzed guitars, a trashy lo-fi patina, and a bit of theatricality are the hallmarks of Modern Vices' self-titled debut. Hailing from Chicago, the young quintet formed in 2013 and quickly found themselves recording for Windy City indie Autumn Tone Records (the Orwells, Twin Peaks). The 12 songs they offer up here are awash with cranked-up garage tones and a mix of noir-ish surf and '60s jangle. In terms of production, they hit their mark, presenting an album that is deliberately loose and unfailingly live. Tracks like the dark-hued opener "Keep Me Under Your Arms" and the hot-rodded "(Don't) Hold Me Down" have strong melodies, interesting changes, and plenty of vibe. ~ Timothy Monger