White Denim

DDowntown * * * *

It has been fascinating to observe White Denim as they develop into a powerhouse band. There was a sizable progression between the infectious garage-rock racket of Workout Holidayand the tremendous fusions of Fits, but the jump in scale between that album and Dis astounding. They still play like beasts ( At the Farmis a stonking, fuzzy instrumental where the players just jam the hell out of the tune), but the scope of the material has broadened. Check out Keysand Bess St, which merrily stray into country, boogie, southern soul and psych terrain. They can also play with a straighter bat when the occasion demands, and Is and Is and Is is an intriguing monster that works up a fine head of stadium-sized anthemic steam – think The Who in their pomp, but with some freaky-deaky melodies in the works. Heaven knows where they'll go from here. See whitedenimmusic.com

Download tracks: Is and Is and Is, At the Farm, Bess St