Search - Halfhour to Go :: Items for the Full Outfit

Indie rock from the Garden State

Forest Law | Lakewood, NJ | 05/14/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Half Hour To Go was a Hoboken, NJ based indie rock band that released one album on the now-defunct Grass Records label in 1996. They have disbanded since its release, and this album may be hard to come by (since the label, which has since become the corporate rock juggernaut Wind-Up Records, stopped pressing pretty much all of the Grass releases - even the brilliant Wrens albums), but this is definitely worth checking out.

This band is best described as sounding a little like Archers Of Loaf (off-kilter melodies, occasionally detached-sounding vocals, anthemic songwriting), with a bit of a Polvo (a few unexpected time-signature changes) and Superchunk (most of the songs are upbeat and chug along at a brisk pace) influence as well. But the band manages to put their own unique stamp on each track, crafting songs that are often intense, sometimes subdued, and likely to stay in your head all day once you hear them.Guitarist Victor Marinelli and bassist Michael Dutcher take turns on vocals, which also helps to complement the sonic variety. Dutcher has a somewhat high-pitched yelp of a voice that make it difficult to decipher the lyrics, but after repeated listens you'll find yourself singing along in no time. Highlights include the fast-paced "Shave", the hypnotic "Theatre In The Round", the fierce "Ellison Jelly" and the jangly, relatively mellow "When Propaganda Sings".In summary: A forgotten indie rock gem from the '90s, Items For The Full Outfit is a worthy addition to your CD collection. Half Hour To Go skillfully runs the gamut of the genre and have a confident and intricate sound, considering that this was a debut album. I definitely suggest you check it out if you like any of the aforementioned bands."