(Independently released)
The Purplechickens know exactly what they want to do. With a writer on the helm of things (vocalist Aldus Santos), an outline, a structure, an idea of their aural direction must’ve been laid out, written down. And the listener can almost hear that outline as the songs unfurl in almost logical fashion—words, breaks, and effects in their proper places, often in almost predictable places. Then it feels contrived, songs take on an unnatural feel, like the band couldn’t breathe. Still, as a band steeped in words and sound, they’ve done their job. -Lou Albano