(Barboza) Various people have compared Dayton, Ohioâs Vertical Scratchers to Wire, XTC, and Lilys. You could find reason to assent to all of those observations, so if you dig those fine groups, you may jump for joy to Vertical Scratchers. On their new album for Merge, Daughter of Everything, the busy John Schmersalâwho recently hit Seattle with Crooks on Tapeâplays guitar and sings in a high voice that often turns into a yelp. Most of the albumâs 15 songs skitter with a nervy, Adderall-ed energy and the insouciant melodies efficiently worm their way into your brain. When Guided by Voicesâ Robert Pollard steps to the mic on the urgent, surging rocker âGet Along Like U,â itâs the most natural, logical thing in the world. Like GBV, Vertical Scratchers repeatedly reward your short attention span with smart, hooky rock thatâs peppy with out causing dyspepsia.
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