Cedarsmoke sounds pretty much exactly what you'd expect from a late-80s Minneapolis band: Raggedy vocals, surprisingly melodic hooks and ringing guitar anthems. Those early 'Mats, Husker Du and Soul Asylum albums? Gravel in the road.

Cedarsmoke Into the Wild World (self-released)

Of course, Cedarsmoke is from Brisbane (the one in Australia) and its members weren't alive when the Minneapolis indie scene blew up (and then almost as rapidly impoded). But it's clear they consider Pleased to Meet Me, Grave Dancers Union and Candy Apple Grey better albums than Let It Be, And the Horse They Rode In On and New Day Rising. They're wrong, but that's beside the point.

I've read a number of the Australian reviews, and they're along the lines of "Finally the boys are growing up!" Which is pretty much what mainstream reviewers said about the Minneapolis bands and their major label efforts. I haven't been able to dig up enough of the band's back catalog to see if there's a similar throughline of true greatness that preceded this highly polished (and energetically played) set, but I'm guessing there's not.

I realize that this review sounds like a rip. It's not. I'm surprised to hear a band that manages to assimilate these sounds (yes, all three bands played loud and weren't known for tight live shows, but that's about where the similarities end) so seamlessly. And I don't hate the major label efforts from the Minneapolis crews. I don't think there's any way to connect the dots between the earlier efforts of these bands. It might sound like Dead Kennnedys meets the Meat Puppets or something (wait, that's the Minutemen, right?).

Anyway, this is a lot better than Semisonic, which wasn't a bad post-big deal Minneapolis band at all. I hope Cedarsmoke grows up some more and travels further afield in its sonic investigations. An album like this could presage something amazing or a swift drop into the fondue pot. Here's hoping for the former.

Jon Worley