Sucking in Stereo

On Sucking in Stereo, the punk-pop of Saratoga, New York, natives the Figgs continues to draw from a variety of late-'70s through mid-'80s reference points. The catchy guitar pop of "The Wrong Chord" is sprinkled with new wave synth touches, while "Reaction" finds bassist/singer Pete Donnelly doing his best early Replacements/Paul Westerberg. Singer/guitarist Mike Gent's vocals have the same appealing urgency of late-'70s Elvis Costello or Graham Parker (whom the group has backed), as evidenced on "Opening Night" and "The Daylight Strong." There's even the bright, catchy essence of the Go-Go's on several tracks, while "Dance Lesson" is an amphetamine Stones rocker not unlike something from the Flamin' Groovies. This is not to say the group is purely derivative, however. The Figgs have been making tight, punchy records with their own sonic stamp for nearly a decade, and Sucking in Stereo finds them fully in control of their undeniably likable muse.