The
Rope
's frame of reference (no surprise to longtime fans) draws from '60s West Coast folk rock (and like-minded '80s practitioners), but with darker underpinnings and with an unpretty lead growler in vocalist/guitarist
Guy Keyser
. As a songwriter,
Keyser
(with help from bassist
John von Feldt
and guitarist
Roger Kunkel
) is hip without being condescending and occasionally (e.g.
"Mr. Limpet"
's Don Knotts imagery) show a wickedly funny sense of humor...They're more interested in challenging their audience rather than simply regurgitating the same tired riffs that have propelled many of their compatriots into hockey arenas. Not everything works here...but there's tons of good stuff... ~ John Dougan, Option 21_88