Is it at all hypocritical to call something "straightforward indie rock?"

Most likely, but with Exhaustra's Exits & Escapes, I can't help but find myself slapping them with the awkward label. The band plays up front, contemplative, guitar-driven rock with a not-quite vocal tenor that gives off a Some Records-like feel, but without the focus on experimental, post-rock tendencies. The emphasis placed on occasionally catchy joints and hip-slapping hooks keeps things interesting; Exhaustra succeeds fairly well in this sense, because they don't seem fit for spastic genre-hopping.

It's certain that the record suffers from a substantial amount of generally under whelming moments, but its knack for staying consistent in moods and pace places it on a scale a fair amount higher than the proverbial notch marked "background music." The flow between tracks is perfect, but the songs don't really build within themselves. While "Vs. the Robots," for example, is a yearning, competent rocker, its failure to really hit a climax in the bridge is frustrating.

Exits & Escapes is worth a gander, but will probably find you scratching your head searching for the exit.

MP3s
Friction
Art of Success
Line Drawn
Torn Away