Ring, Cicada

Long a name heralded in small circles of the lower-Midwest since their inception in 1995, Ring, Cicada has made brief blips on the consciousness of indie rockdom, but due to a lack of releases and the exposure they and heavy national touring can bring a band worthy of acclaim, outside of the Midwest, Ring, Cicada has stood stoically amongst the tall trees of the likes of Shiner and Shellac and Sweep the Leg Johnny. Until now.

Seven years from formation to fruition, we bear witness to Good Morning, Mr. Good., Ring, Cicada's first full-length album. Recorded by Steve Albini in Studio B at Electrical Audio in May and December 2002, and mastered by Mike Hagler at Kingsize, this is, in a wholehearted effort at an unbiased opinion, the best work Albini has done in some time. And he's done some great work. The recording of this record is everything it needed to be. Not only because Ring, Cicada waited this long for the opportunity to record this album, but because there was so much there - my God, the dynamics and the detail - that needed an expert at the controls.

Muscular, complex and anthemic rock music with strong vocals to boot. Heavy on the rock. Take it.