Three years after their major-label debut, Cakewalk,
House of Freaks' Bryan Harvey and Johnny Hott return to their indie roots with
Invisible Jewel. The band's primitive-sounding yet expansive guitar and drum sound is still intact, taking in the usual mix of
R.E.M. and
Tom Waits-inspired folk-pop heard on earlier releases. And while many cuts feature a combination of jangly Americana and punk economy, the duo stretch out on the experimental blues "I'll Treat You Right Someday" and the garage rockin' "It's a Fucked up World." The sound is both feedback-drenched and gothic in tone, with Southern-swamp madness and pop sweetness popping up throughout. Elsewhere, percussion exorcisms are let loose ("Fat Boy Tom") and
John Lennon's primal scream bent is taken up with impressive results ("Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey"). The House of Freaks' faithful will not be disappointed. ~ Stephen Cook