“Rot Gut, Domestic,” released March 20, is the latest and most disappointing effort by indie band Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s.
While not completely terrible, the new album pales in comparison to former releases like “Animal!” and “Not Animal” in 2008.
With the release of “Buzzard” in 2010, Margot and the Nuclear So & So’s abandoned the intricate orchestral compositions it had so perfectly produced before and, instead, pursued a future in guitar-driven grunge.
“Rot Gut, Domestic” is a continuation of that lazy psych-rock trend, complete with Richard Edwards’ strung-out vocals draped carelessly over distorted guitars.
Among the new record’s best songs is “Frank Left,” which actually does bring back some seemingly forgotten elements like light-brushed percussion, acoustic guitar, female backing vocals and electric piano.
Other strong tracks are “Shannon” and the piano-driven “Christ.”
The album’s mostly-acoustic fifth track, “A Journalist Falls in Love with Deathrow Inmate #16,” is one of the few lyrically coherent songs and details a situation similar to that which Truman Capote experienced during the “In Cold Blood” era.
The remaining eight songs on “Rot Gut, Domestic” fluctuate in intensity and energy, but generally remain unimpressive and forgettable.
