There are a few indie rock standard bearers in the "FOR FANS OF" section of the notes accompanying JPW + Dad Weed's new LP — Wilco, the Flaming Lips, Elephant 6 etc. But then you squint your eyes and see some less commonly referenced influences: LEN, Gin Blossoms ... even the accursed Barenaked Ladies?!! Never fear, Amassed Like a Rat King is far from a BNL tribute record. But the LP does occasionally feel like you've tuned into some mid-1990s alt-rock radio station; indeed, I'm convinced that crunchy, hook-filled songs like "It's Happening" and "Everybody's Talking (Again)" could've been left-field jangle-pop hits back in those bygone days. This is an extremely fun collection, with JPW (AKA Aquarium Drunkard's Jason P. Woodbury) and Dad Weed (AKA multi-instrumentalist Zach Toporek) employing idiosyncratic/inventive production techniques, canny songcraft and an off-beat sense of humor to bring the whole thing to life. The JPW / Dad Weed duo sounds as if they're having a blast throughout — and that, my friends, is what it's all about.
