Stiff (CD)

Three years on from their critically acclaimed quot;barbequequot; record Corsicana Lemonade, White Denim are back with more than just a new album to commemorate. Their sixth record, Stiff is a return to the Austin quartet's frenetic rock band roots, and is both a jubilant thrill ride and joyous celebration of their past ten years. Heading into the studio with an external producer to oversee a whole album for the first time - and even writing a tune with Cass McCombs (quot;Thank Youquot;) - the band teamed up with the legendary Ethan Johns (Paul McCartney, Laura Marling, The Staves) to produce their first truly live record, one teeming with a cool '70s undertow, tumultuous riffs and a feverish energy that's resulted in arguably some of their biggest and brawniest songs to date. For the most part, Stiff is an album crammed with adrenaline-fueled sing-along that show off the band's staple technical abilities. But it's also one that sees some new shades that they've developed along the way, too. Citing new wave and the razor-sharp pop punk of Buzzcocks as influences this time round, there's an addictive Elvis Costello circa This Year's Model quality to quot;Real Deal Momma,quot; a tune that highlights the band's love for hummable synthesizers and curious, affecting oddities. Then there's the cow bell calm and backing vocals laden brilliance of quot;I'm The One (Big Big Fun),quot; that along with quot;Take It Easy (Ever After Lasting Love)quot; (a song Petralli says quot;wants to be on a collection of doo wop songs written in 2016quot;) shows a softer and more intricate side to the band while fully emphasizing Petralli's vocal excellence.