The press release describes the band as though “Alicia Keys and Glenn Danzig shared vocals in a still ‘Unplugged’ Nirvana.” Whether that’s good or not is moot, as it’s accurate. This local ‘90s-inspired rock quartet has some bluesy jams in Tempt You and Chi Chi as well as haunting rockers (Watching the Wind Blow). Produced by drummer Chris Wheeler, the nine songs on Sense of Now made it to disc due to the fact that the band lived for five weeks at #1 on SuperNova.com’s alternative chart. It doesn’t sound too big or slick, which helps some bands but hinders Split Crooked. Tracks featuring guitarists Matt Boyer and Darcy Toews definitely pack a bigger punch, but there’s a hollowness throughout the disc (possibly the ghosts of rock’s past feeling ripped off) that hurts the tunes.

Published in Volume 66, Number 24 of The Uniter (March 21, 2012)