The Horrors

In a few years, it'll look as if In the Red Records saved "garage rock" from being buried by the gimmicky catch-all phrase it's become. In addition to exposing the most inventive noisemakers of the vaunted Detroit scene (Dirtbombs, Clone Defects, Piranhas), the label has plucked other torchbearers of the raw, bored-teen garage legacy from other unlikely outposts.

The Horrors, a glower trio from Iowa, are undoubtedly the only kids in the entire state who own every Cheater Slicks record. They've moved on from the distorto-slop rock that influenced their second album, Vent, to some catchier choruses, slinkier boogie rhythms, more overt nods to the Cramps, and a less muddy recording style. Still, lined up with the rest of In the Red's roster, the Horrors come off as messy blues rock that's not very distinguishable from the oodles of four-chord crunchers out there. There's a very good chance that, once their satisfaction with sales of 500 copies begins to wane, one of these boys will hook up with a jam band. But for now, they're still young and PO'ed enough to bash out a nasty gig for those who want to believe there are still bands actually practicing in greasy garages in dead-end America, away from the maddening hype.