Well-schooled in '90s underground icons
Fugazi and
Jawbox, Chicago's
Haymarket Riot won't be accused of setting any trends on its second long-player, but fans of the aforementioned will have a hard time turning
Mog off, just the same. Mixed by
Steve Albini (
Nirvana,
Pixies), the follow-up to 2001's
Bloodshot Eyes sounds predictable, with the group's twin guitars and Kevin J. Frank's vocals getting most of the attention. But the songs are generally really strong, with the punchy "Pushing Air" plus sonic, melodic shots like "Cue," "Uneasy Consequence," and "Vera" standing out. The band has mixed results when it changes gears, as the stammering, fragmented riffs of "My Donut, God Damn!" exhibit, but the compelling near-ballad "Sleep" bows the set in top form. Even if this kind of post-hardcore has all been done before, few modern bands do it this well. ~ John D. Luerssen