Albums by this artist

From The Vapor Of Gasoline (2000)

The Mercury Program

From The Vapor Of Gasoline

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» JONATHAN COHEN | SENIOR EDITOR

The Mercury Program From The Vapor Of Gasoline Tiger Style, 2000 RiYL: Ganger, June Of 44, Tortoise

From The Vapor Of Gasoline, The Mercury Program's second album and first for NYC indie label Tiger Style, mostly succeeds in its attempts to transcend clear allegiance to Tortoise's rhythm-driven instrumentals and Slint's dynamic mastery. At times, this Gainesville, Fla. four-piece recalls the bass-heavy sound of Ganger (opener "The Sea Is In Here") or a less volatile June Of 44 ("Nazca Lines Of Peru," featuring some very Doug Scharin-esque drum work).

Guitar and vibraphone both have prominent positions in the band's sound, helping to compensate for the inherent sameness of cuts such as the title track and "Re-inventing A Challenge For Machines." Better are the less bombastic forays into instrumentalism, such as the "The Vortex East" and "Every Particle Of The Atmosphere," on which the hushed male vocals resemble the cool indie pop of Seely.

From The Vapor Of Gasoline doesn't break much musical ground, but should still appeal to fans of the top-shelf instrumental rock outfits.

JONATHAN COHEN | Jonathan Cohen co-created Nude As The News with his Indiana University mates Troy Carpenter and Ben French. When not traversing the globe for business and pleasure, he holds down the fort as a senior editor for Billboard in New York. Stop him and he just may ask, "what for lunch?"