The Evening Descends [LP]

This wholly demented ensemble from Norman, OK dabbles in glam, slips in a little funk and soul, drinks the psychedelic Kool-Aid, blasts the synth cranks up their guitars and wraps it all up with a dose of pop smarts. Picking up where their 2006 debut SO GONE left off, Evangelicals leave behind much of their ADD-addled approach, instead of taking their wealth of great ideas and harnessing them for good. The hyperactive, overdriven pop is still here, but is balanced with restraint. Josh Jones' wild narratives and propulsive pop songs are anchored with the right balance of stoicism and wit by the bass and drums.