This Minneapolis band's third EP in as many years finds the band plying its post-rock, post-punk, rhythmic noise salad once more. And yes, it sounds like some of my favorite Touch and Go bands from the 90s (and the Ex, for good measure). Are you surprised?

Too Late, But Still How Much Can We Take EP (Cardinal Sun)

Creative and propulsive enough that it would have attracted interest from at least 10 Chicago labels I can imagine, but disjointed and rambling enough to possibly put off one or two. I dunno. I think most people would be interested in a Slint/Jesus Lizard/Don Cab mashup. But I might well be deranged.

Unfortunately, some of those impulses counteract the others. The notion to meander (that would be part of the Slint potion) can lead to some drag. The insistence on musical precision (I'll throw that in the Don Cab camp) leaches out some of the natural anarchic spirit. But on the whole, those (and many other influences) have led the band to an interesting place.

Still, this is a short set. The band's output so far has been quite good, but I'd like to hear more. How will the guys modulate in the future? That's a good question, and one I'd welcome hearing an answer to. For now, I'll just play this loud and smile. The simple things can soothe the soul most satisfyingly.

Jon Worley