Townhouse Suite
The Red Room
(self-released)
Though it's clearly rooted in '90s hard rock, Townhouse Suite's full-length debut is an impressive first showing. With its refrain "I saw the world go by," "Patience" is a terrific anthem that recalls mid-'90s Pearl Jam, propelled by sinewy guitar solos that maintain the momentum as the song approaches the five-minute mark. The same goes for "Acetylene," a lurching jam that shows off the band's neo-prog tendencies. These guys can really play, as the album's off-kilter time signatures prove. Unsung on the local scene because they don't play out a lot, that should change as the group incorporates a new drummer and gets back into the clubs. — Jeff Niesel
The Rails
Parallel Movements
(self-released)
Right from the opening notes of the catchy, shimmering "Above the Clouds," it's apparent the Rails have come a long way since their last album, 2006's Life's a Lonely Ride. Led by singer-guitarist Jeremy Willets, a Scene contributor, the band tries its hand at power-pop ("The Next Life") and snotty post-punk ("Part Time Punks"). While it sounds like Willets is pushing the limits of his voice on the careening "On a Friday" and during the falsetto parts of "Conspiracy Song," that's a minor issue. The songwriting is first-rate, and Parallel Movements is accessible, especially if you like jangly alt-rock from the '90s. — Niesel
Hear new music from Non-Fiction, Townhouse Suite and the Rails on our new online streaming jukebox: clevescene.com/kickingandstreaming.
