CD Review

You could argue as to whether or not The Murdocks actually make unique music, but you can’t deny that their heart is in the right place. Blurring the lines between garage, punk and pop, the four piece from Austin bring out the dirty goods on their full length debut Surrenderender.

Where the poppy opener “saddest star” sounds primed for The O.C., the sinister follow up “Horsegore” sounds about right for Fight Club. You got to hand it to lead singer Franklin Morris, who suavely leads the band through a recap of today’s finest Johnny come lately garage rock acts. And it’s rare a band captures their renowned live energy so well on record, even though its clear there is still much room for improvement in the songwriting department, as in the piercing repetitive deadpan howl of “Da Da.” Murdocks sound like any Strokes, Hot Hot Heat, or Kaiser Chiefs already out there, but their brand of chaos trembles with a vital sense of urgency and aggression on Surrenderenderdemands to at least be heard, obeyed and absorbed.