Cattle Drums

The blues rock stomp that opens the debut EP by Oneonta, NY's Cattle Drums suits the band's name, but quickly proves to be the exception to their chaotic melding of pop punk and post-hardcore. A playful experimental edge permeates these eight songs and they never quite settle on a sound. "Just the Right Height" is reminiscent of Bear vs. Shark's indie intensity, while "Who Punched Pat Moore's Face" is a little piece of melodic math rock heaven, alternating between huge sing-along choruses and sing-shouting, backed with intricate picking patterns in the verses. It all sounds a little like if At the Drive-In were younger, less serious or more fun. It's a good thing it was released with the three new tracks or it might have slipped by altogether.