Not many folks claim Fort Worth as home. There's Dan Jenkins, but he hasn't lived there since the 19th century. And I guess Ben Hogan, but he's even older (and deader). TCU is there, and I know a few non-famous people there because of my wife's work. Fort Worth is a perfectly solid place to exist, but a music mecca it is not.

The Fibs The Fibs (Dreamy Life)

I think that fits the Fibs just fine. They're one of those modern shoegaze bands, the type with plenty of fuzz, a rhythm section that kicks things well into the mid-tempo range and an almost orchestral scope to the overall sound. You know, a lot like Luna meets the Flaming Lips.

The Fibs don't have Dean Wareham's unsparing devotion to a lovely melody, and they aren't nearly as weird as Wayne and Drozd. They're a lot more garage in general. But I like the raggedy approach, and these songs do take flight. Sometimes more bumblebee than butterfly, but flight nonetheless.

Noisy, twitchy and all wrapped up in a lovely fuzz. The Fibs have a solid handle on this sound, and this album is an excellent ramble. No reinvention here, just solid work. Fort Worth should be proud.

Jon Worley