Mean Way in

Ah, indie rock. Too often bands deicde they want to sound like a specific band - how many times have we heard a band that sounds exactly like Cursive, or Joy Division, or Gang of Four? Forunately, there are some bands that manage to get around the imitation-is-the-highest-form-of-flattery gimmick and make something a little more interesting. Division Day meld tuneful indie-pop a la Death Cab For Cutie with the more difficult sound of bands like Fugazi, Jawbox, and Radiohead. On The Mean Way In, their second EP, they display an ability to later diverse sounds that bring to mind Yo La Tengo's ambition yet loose-limbed approach to music. Vocalist Rohner Segnitz occasionally slips into a precious indie whine, but mostl he's spot on in his delivery. 'Hello,' while the almost-funky drums propel the song towards an exciting climax. The band makes excellent use of a highly underappreciated instrument, electic piano, utilizing it to further the atmostpheric quality of their music. There are echoes of a lot of bands in Division Day's sound - and that sure as hell beats a knockoff of the indie band du jour. - Emily Burnham Amplifier Magazine.