Search - .22 :: The Worker

Far too many bands fall into two categories, either guilty pleasure or what Mark Twain called a "classic" (a book that is praised but never read). With The Worker, Chicago?s .22 manage to balance themselves on the edge of the indie cred high horse without falling into the dung on either side. The Worker is .22?s second album. It?s clever, big in sound and small in production, with the right mix of distorted emo-esque hooks and sparse prog-rock exploration. Post punk and math rock blend with angular power chords that quickly draw in the listener, without insulting him or her. From the angry crunch of Einstein to the honey dripped Limelight, The Worker stays true to its art without having to implore a listener to pay attention. Lindsey?s fat, walking bass lines do that, along with Brad?s heavy hitting, melodious drum work and the tuned-down, roiling chords and arpeggios of Brian?s guitar. The three simultaneously juxtapose and compliment each other into a slurry of tension, aggression and liberation. The Worker demonstrates that .22 continually manages to expand its music without losing what made it so inviting in the first place: brain power. Sparing extras on the record, violin, and breaking glass add texture to an otherwise cleanly produced album. The best part about .22, their inability to be pigeonholed, also makes this band difficult to describe. They?re beyond self-deprecation AND rock posturing, keeping them open-minded enough to pull several different sub-genres together.