Media Jeweler want you to know that they are a rock band. “The nuance lost with the variety of modifying adjectives that can precede ‘rock’ is priceless,” says their press info. True enough, but with clean-angled guitar lines and shifty trombone sounds that could’ve been left over from TNT-era Tortoise, the temptation to affix the “post-” prefix to that one vague adjective is pretty great.
But the Santa Ana, CA, group are right to shrug off our limitations. $99 R/T Hawaii is—as the tone of that title might imply—a strange, beguiling mix of popping harmonic guitar, post-punk angularity, jazzy rhythmic turnarounds, and a general refusal to rest in any one style. That they’d even allow themselves to be called to be called “rock” is a little surprising.
$99 R/T Hawaii was recorded at Machines With Magnets by Seth Manchester and Keith Souza (Battles, Lightning Bolt) and mastered by XOQ (Liars, Factory Floor, Martin Gore). “Autopilot,” the album’s lead single, finds the band rolling out a fluttery guitar line over an anxious build before sliding into a blatty, trombone-fueled verse. It’s nervous, shuddery music vaguely reminiscent of Ought—though as it develops, it momentarily sheds its nerves and delivers a few moments of sweet relief.
The self-released $99 R/T Hawaii is out August 14. Give “Autopilot” a listen below, then scroll down for the track listing and dates. And, if you’re feeling bold, book a trip with the dudes at their not-at-all-sketchy-looking travel website.
$99 R/T Hawaii track list
“Looking Glass (Reprise)”
“No Exit”
“Passport Invalid”
“Autopilot”
“Untitled”
“Looking Back”
“Looking Glass”
Media Jeweler tour dates
