Ganser has been bubbling around Chicago for a few years, but this is the band's first full-length. Blistering its way through a wide variety of post-punk sounds (I'd say Sonic Youth playing Yo La Tengo songs as arranged by Girls Against Boys, with a heavy infusion of Kathleen Hanna throughout), Ganser doesn't stick to any one sound (or vocalist). The sound may be somewhat minimalist, but the scope is immense.

Ganser Odd Talk (No Trend)

This is not a grabber. The first tracks are pretty great, but they only set the stage for the meat of the album. "PSY OPS" (the third track) is where Ganser grabs the listener by the throat. After that, well, hold on if you can.

The rhythmic intensity never fades, and that churn keeps these songs headed in the right direction. Ganser does not have enough room on this album for all of its ambitions, but that's cool. There should be more albums that try too hard. It would be a crime if there were not.

Don't get thrown off the ride. This is an album that satisfies right up to the end. Ganser might have taken its time in committing itself to recording. That's alright. Better to do it right. And while there is plenty of room for improvement (a general decluttering wouldn't hurt some of these songs), I'll take inspired ambition every day. I imagine the live shows walk a serious tightrope. I don't like to see bands crash and burn, but walking that line is about as thrilling as it gets.

Jon Worley