Forever Halloween

While the intimidating-looking skeleton man on the cover strongly suggests that this Tempe, Ariz., quintet has adopted the classic horror-rock stylings of The Misfits or The Cramps, the opening song here—“Take What You Can Carry”—immediately disarms such assumptions with well-crafted rootsy rock. More Wilco than Witchcraft, “Love & Drugs” dials up the Fender reverb as John O\'Callaghan’s slightly weathered rasp sings sophisticated melodies over a backdrop of twangy guitar pop. Although The Maine\'s wistful take on power pop (as heard in the beautifully melancholic “White Walls”) sounds like something out of Jeff Tweedy\'s *Being There* sketchbook, “Birthday in Los Angeles” shows more originality and experimentation. Here O’Callaghan mournfully croons his birthday blues over a warbling pump organ right through a murky mix. It inadvertently recalls the mysterious “I Just Want to See His Face” from The Rolling Stones’ *Exile on Main St.*—replete with weepy slide guitar.

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