Sicbay - Suspicous Icons

The title song on Sicbay's album, Suspicious Icons, starts with an overdistorted guitar run through a Marshall. It’s heavy on the low-end; a guitar sound that is easiest to describe as “ballsy.” The rest of the songs don’t have the pounding feeling that makes the title track so unique but some make up for it by being well-crafted. Take, for example, the Guided By Voices-influenced “The Rise of Phantom White.” It’s a well-written song in that it doesn’t rely on influence, it’s more like a respectable nod to those who came before them. There’s no cohesive thread to hold the album together and it suffers as a result. If you're a fan of Guided By Voices or if you like guitar-heavy rock, give Suspicious Icons a shot. [www.sicbay.com]