Crash Rickshaw (CD) by Crash Rickshaw

Crash Rickshaw is sort of a side project for its three members, all of whom either currently have or recently had regular gigs with other bands. Singer and guitarist Joby Harris has spent time with Rainy Day, the Moodswingers, and Phatso; bassist/guitarist Steven Dail and drummer Alex Albert both hail from Project 86. The noise they make together is surprisingly fully realized for a band that had literally only been together for a few months before hitting the studio to record its debut; there are some clear influences, ranging from the Mission of Burma inflections on "Co-Dependent Idolatry" to the rather Nirvana-ish "El Gato," but the overall sound is that of a band that has absorbed lots of influences, not copied them. Crash Rickshaw's sound is always aggressive and edgy, but totters constantly on the edge of melodicism, indicating a level of musical and conceptual depth that is generally lacking in those who spend all their time on either pop-punk or skronk. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide