Massachusetts-formed and after-a-furnace-named New Radiant Storm King has been churning out records and spinning band members through its revolving door since 1990, when the original gang met at Hampshire College. What probably began as a group of nerdy college buddies looking to score and play loud music has evolved into not much else. It's hard to believe that Matt Hunter and Peyton Pinkerton - members from the jump - haven't been able to find themselves in all this time. They've done great things - like open for Nirvana; and they've made good records - like their last one, titled The Steady Hand. But the only thing consistent about the sound of their most recent release, Drinking in the Moonlight, is its inconsistency.
When numbers like "Soporific Slump" and "Undignified" are allowed to "run," things work well. The sound is shiny and fun. But Linkin Park-style downtempo stalls introduce an element that's toxic. The band tries to make too much happen and fills space with completely unnecessary noise. "Senseless" simplifies things with a charging, Sublime-like rhythm, but "Islander" revisits the lingering question, “What's the point?” Many of the record's songs have a strong sonic foundation, but the final floor-plan should have remained a ranch instead of a duplex.
--Tim Kelly [October 4, 2008]
