No More Songs About Sleep and Fire

Poster Children have been treading the boards of the new wave revival boards for a long time. The Rapture were still in knee pants when the Illinois group was starting out in 1987. Their angular, energetic sound has remained pretty constant throughout, and their eighth album, No More Songs About Sleep and Fire, is one of their best. Rick Valentin's vocals are full of fire, slightly detached fire if that is possible but fire just the same. The sound of the album is stripped down and punchy, mostly made up of dueling overdriven and angular guitars, Rose Marshack's sturdy bass (she also contributes sweet backing vocals), and powerful drums. "Flag," with its jumpy beats and political sentiments, "Jane," a melodic ode to a kung fu fighting friend of the band, the rollicking "Now It's Gone," and the strange and epic "The Leader" are some of the standout tracks on the album. Basically if you are a fan of Poster Children you won't be let down. If you are a fan of the new new wave revival, you really should check these guys out. They have smarts and energy to burn as well as a bunch of songs that are right up there with anything Interpol, the Rapture, or Hot Hot Heat have done.