Fetchin Bones

The swan song for North Carolina's Fetchin Bones opens with the thunderous stomp of "Love Crushing," which finds the protagonist shifting from suggestive to shackled. The quintet doesn't let up often, serving up a punk-tinged, power pop musical backdrop for the strafing vocals of Hope Nicholls. Longtime Smithereens producer Ed Stasium keeps things accessible, yet muscular. "Deep Blue" is a crisp, mid-tempo pop gem with some nice string touches. "I Dig You" chugs and grinds as Nicholls belts out the playfully confessional lyrics. The lyrics have depth like the desperate undertone that seems to lurk beneath the immediate whimsy of "(I Feel Like An) Astronaut." Sometimes the lyrics are simply whimsical like the hyperactive, multilingual outburst "Bonework." Monster is a totally captivating release and a fine way for Fetchin Bones to bow out. ~ Tom Demalon, All Music Guide