U.S. Christmas’ name is popping up a lot lately, and this 2008 release by Neurot Recordings gives insight as to why. To be honest, I normally don’t bother with most Neurot releases because they have a tendency to sign horrible hipster art-fart shit (excluding the few legends, obviously). Thankfully, they proved me wrong when they signed Marion, North Carolina’s USX. If a roster is an army, that’s quite the soldier to draft.

Eat the Low Dogs sounds like dosing up after one to two pints of Evan Williams. It’s like finding comfort and solace, or some gross beauty in a bad trip. Lock up the firearms, regardless. The unique vocal delivery, sometimes doubling vocals while singing different lyrics (distinctively clever lyrics, at that), adds to the general strung-out vibe. The production value is top notch, and the depressive yet elegant guitar work compliments the classy usage of keyboards, noise, and effects. This band is best experienced on good quality headphones, among other things. The break in “Say Sister” and following solo, stands out as one highlight of many, including song structures and riffs reminiscent of later 70’s psych-rock, while overall giving the listener a constant head-nod with a sense of sympathetic and justified gloom. Again, lock up your firearms.

Sometimes we like to get bummed out by a bad ass album or piece of art. Anything that evokes any strong emotion is rare and valuable. This album will bum you the fuck out, and you'll enjoy every bit of it.