Bill Rouse, Mark Bluhm, Paul Nickels and Jim Butterfield craft a really enjoyable sound. Their songwriting is a nice throwback to simpler iterations of rock 'n' roll, at times inching toward the world of power pop. The veins of both The Beatles and The Replacements are tapped with all due energy.
Each musician lends their voice to the music at various times and they each bring a distinctly different approach. The addition of Butterfield to the other three's chemistry seemed to work wonders; he brought a certain edge to the songs he took lead vocals on.
Twin highlights were "The Garden" and "Gray Day in Cleveland," which figured prominently among Inner Ring Conspiracy setlists. Later in the set, they rolled out a fine take on "Dead Flowers."
They'll play again July 24 at the Lunchtime Summer Concert Series at the Galleria at Erieview downtown.
Dan Miraldi and Sarah Luffred opened the show at the Winchester with characteristic zeal and laid the table for a fine set of rock from the aforementioned Clifton Beat.
