CD Review

Scott McCaughey of Seattle’s Fine Fresh Fellows continues to churn out experimental pop-rock with his latest effort from a decade old side project - The Minus 5. In Rock is just that, twelve songs of blitzkrieg rock, in true minimalist fashion.

Joined By John Ramberg, Bill Rieflin and R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, this record was three-quarters complete prior to 2003’s Down With Wilco; The Minus 5’s collaboration with those alt-country rockers from Chicago. A choppy number, “In a Lonely Coffin,” clocks in at a minute and forty-two seconds, short enough time for the three-chord rocker to make a dent. New wave hooks are alive and kicking in both “Dear My Inspiration” and “Courage is the Smallest Bird,” as the Minus 5 do their best retro-rock voyage. “The Girl I Never Met” could just as easily been written by Paul McCartney, with its made for brass harmonies, while “The Night Chicago Died" craws with cryptic electricity in true boogie woogie fashion. “Dr. Evil” is a 60’s go-go shimmy with a psycho circus organ line. Since leader McCaughey has been blazing pop and rock since the early 80’s, his ticket is legit in revisiting the past. Although In Rock is a quick listen, there’s no denying the catch factor is sticky.