http://theimpalerspeaks.com/post/122931332521/rank-strangers-ringtones-mvd-audio
The Impaler Speaks Rank Strangers – Ringtones (MVD Audio)
Minneapolis has birthed a slew of incredible and influential ‘indie rock’ artists over the years. Filthy, distorted underground heroes like The Trashmen, The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, (early) Soul Asylum, The Soviettes, and Babes In Toyland each built a cult of followers worldwide as local bands in the Minneapolis scene, and continue to add new converts to their respective fanbases today. While not as well-known as the acts on the list above, Rank Strangers must be included in any serious list of Minneapolis ‘indie rock’ bands for at least four key reasons. 1: Rank Strangers – a trio currently comprised of founding member Mike Wisti (guitars/vocals), Davin Odegaard (bass, since 1994), and Shawn Davis (drums, since 2004) – have been kicking around the scene since 1990, which means that they probably had 100+ shows under their belts before a sizable chunk of any audience they perform for today was even born. 2: ‘Ringtones’ is the band’s 10th album, with previous albums being recognized as the best of the best by the Minnesota Music Awards (1997’s ‘Target’), the Minneapolis ‘Star Tribune’ newspaper (2008’s ‘Tucke Des Objekts, Die’), and by the mostly-peaceful (but still kinda scary) alien race commonly referred to as ‘The Greys’ (all of their albums, all of the time… possibly… I am just speculating on this one). 3: Hüsker Dü drummer/vocalist and all-around ‘indie rock’ hero Grant Hart loves these guys. Hart has recorded some of his solo material at Mike Wisti’s Albatross Recording Studio, and ‘Ringtones’ is being released on his imprint. 4: Rank Strangers are all about fingers on strings (and sticks). As they will proudly tell you, no computers are employed in the production of a Rank Strangers record. And that’s as admirable as it is awesome. So… what do Rank Strangers sound like? The best answer, of course, is ‘Rank Strangers sound like, um, Rank Strangers, you big dummy.’ But that isn’t very helpful to the not-yet-converted, so here are some guideposts: the band names Guided By Voices as an influence; the band’s website self-describes them as an ‘indie garage rock band’ with ‘post-literate, crypto-phonic songs that unconnect the dots and utilize the element of surprise’. Sure, that may not be any more helpful, but it’s undeniably cool. (Do kids still say ‘cool’?) To my ears, ‘Ringtones’ is reminiscent of a stripped-down New Pornographers interspersed with flashes of Nada Surf-isms – playful, lo-fi power-pop that melds big hooks and catchy-as-hell melodies wrapped around eclectic Leonard-Cohen-meets-Nick-Cave centerpieces. 2015 has offered up more than a few worthwhile albums, with ‘Ringtones’ near the front of the pack, from my perspective. The Impaler
The Impaler Speaks Rank Strangers – Ringtones (MVD Audio)
Minneapolis has birthed a slew of incredible and influential ‘indie rock’ artists over the years. Filthy, distorted underground heroes like The Trashmen, The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, (early) Soul Asylum, The Soviettes, and Babes In Toyland each built a cult of followers worldwide as local bands in the Minneapolis scene, and continue to add new converts to their respective fanbases today. While not as well-known as the acts on the list above, Rank Strangers must be included in any serious list of Minneapolis ‘indie rock’ bands for at least four key reasons. 1: Rank Strangers – a trio currently comprised of founding member Mike Wisti (guitars/vocals), Davin Odegaard (bass, since 1994), and Shawn Davis (drums, since 2004) – have been kicking around the scene since 1990, which means that they probably had 100+ shows under their belts before a sizable chunk of any audience they perform for today was even born. 2: ‘Ringtones’ is the band’s 10th album, with previous albums being recognized as the best of the best by the Minnesota Music Awards (1997’s ‘Target’), the Minneapolis ‘Star Tribune’ newspaper (2008’s ‘Tucke Des Objekts, Die’), and by the mostly-peaceful (but still kinda scary) alien race commonly referred to as ‘The Greys’ (all of their albums, all of the time… possibly… I am just speculating on this one). 3: Hüsker Dü drummer/vocalist and all-around ‘indie rock’ hero Grant Hart loves these guys. Hart has recorded some of his solo material at Mike Wisti’s Albatross Recording Studio, and ‘Ringtones’ is being released on his imprint. 4: Rank Strangers are all about fingers on strings (and sticks). As they will proudly tell you, no computers are employed in the production of a Rank Strangers record. And that’s as admirable as it is awesome. So… what do Rank Strangers sound like? The best answer, of course, is ‘Rank Strangers sound like, um, Rank Strangers, you big dummy.’ But that isn’t very helpful to the not-yet-converted, so here are some guideposts: the band names Guided By Voices as an influence; the band’s website self-describes them as an ‘indie garage rock band’ with ‘post-literate, crypto-phonic songs that unconnect the dots and utilize the element of surprise’. Sure, that may not be any more helpful, but it’s undeniably cool. (Do kids still say ‘cool’?) To my ears, ‘Ringtones’ is reminiscent of a stripped-down New Pornographers interspersed with flashes of Nada Surf-isms – playful, lo-fi power-pop that melds big hooks and catchy-as-hell melodies wrapped around eclectic Leonard-Cohen-meets-Nick-Cave centerpieces. 2015 has offered up more than a few worthwhile albums, with ‘Ringtones’ near the front of the pack, from my perspective. The Impaler
