Printer's Devil

What started as a self-recorded acoustic endeavor, Ratboys founders Julia Steiner and David Sagan soon amplified their unhurried, reflective songs, adding full drums and distortion to the jangle, and channeling influences like the Breeders and the Dodos as much as Wilco and Jenny Lewis. Nearly a decade into their musical partnership, their third full-length, Printers Devil, continues a gradual trend toward a broader, more robust sound. It was recorded at Decade Music Studios in Chicago with Erik Rasmussen, who co-produced with the band, and represents their first album with drummer Marcus Nuccio (Dowsing, Pet Symmetry). Theres a little something for everyone here in terms the range between those influences, with heavier, grungier tracks such as Clever Hans and churning opener Alien with a Sleep Mask On interspersed with sparer songs like the elegant acoustic entry A Vision. The bulk of the ten tracks, however, land somewhere in between. Hitting a sweet spot is My Hands Grow, a warm, foot-tapping offering that features distortion-tinged guitar countermelodies that cut through the twang and rhythmic jangle as Steiners gentle, lilting vocals offer sentiments like I know that its hard to cry sometimes and I know that its hard to feel my love. The quirkier Victorian Slumhouse has a wistful chord palette and guitar riffs that play like slowed-down power pop. Later, Steiners delivery takes on the relaxed twang of the alternative country-rock ballad Listening. As a whole, Printers Devil is both stronger and sweeter than their prior sets, likely resulting in a more lasting impression for casual listeners and a surefire hit for established fans. ~ Marcy Donelson