There's one other majorly Blood Brothers-influenced EP released this year that was quite enjoyable -- Victorian Halls' self-titled effort. The thing practically operated in Crimes worship mode, but it was so sharp and focused that it was hard not to like. The legacy of the Bloods is also apparent on this EP by spazzy Reno/Seattle (shocker!) residents Short Hair, released way back in January, and while it doesn't quite hold the same power nor the songwriting caliber VH had to make up for their unoriginality, it does add a few other cool tidbits that make it both listenable and affable.

While their lead singer sounds a whole hell of a lot like Johnny Whitney at points (and Jordan Blilie in "Short Hair vs The Reversable Convertable"), there are some noisier guitar (and vaguely vocal) elements that sound closer to the Jesus Lizard or Unwound, adding a more '90s-sounding element to the proceedings. "Group Hugs" closes with about a full minute of dissonant wandering, which "Dying Telephone Birds" appropriately clips by offering a suddenly demented, aggressive opening. Like the former, "Hhalf Drank" comes along building up at a bass-driven, rhythmic, ominous pace.

We Buy from the Children isn't always clicking, but it has some definite qualities going for it. A greater grasp on dynamics and linear songwriting would do this band wonders, but they've got the right ideas so far.

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We Buy from the Children