Shiner

Shiner is not the band it used to be - not that that's a bad thing. On their first two records, this scrappy Kansas City outfit, led by guitarist/vocalist Allen Epley, was a jagged mid-Western math-rock trio. After a line-up change and the addition of a second guitar player a couple of years ago, they've evolved into something a little less unpredictable while retaining the creative edge that made their first two records so interesting. On their fourth full-length, the touch of producer and Jawbox/Burning Airlines front-man J. Robbins can be heard in spades. As with his own bands, Robbins helps unite the band's melodic and dissonant post-punk guitar rock sides without stifling either.