Minmae Ya Te Vas? CD

Minmae hark back to the glory days of pre-homogenized capital "I" indie rock, when bands like Pavement and Archers of Loaf ruled the college airwaves and set the bar for generations to come, except they come a decade too late. Sean Brooks' songwriting is as self-conscious, obtuse and angsty as the best of his peers from that era, and his lower-register speak-singing captures the wry detachment of Stephen Malkmus and the jaded ennui of Steve Kilbey. The guitar crunch conjures images of a half-dozen or more brightly-colored analog effects pedals lining the lip of the stage with a shoegazing barrage that is more Dinosaur Jr. (minus the gratuitous solos) than My Bloody Valentine. The rhythm section makes the phrase "in the pocket" seem inadequate as they lock in with every angular riff and jarring progression. And every song on Ya Te Vas (loosely, "You're Leaving Already?") is an anthem, from the dissonant burn-and-build of "The Unfettered Idealist" to the circular country stomp of "Just Take Me as I Am" to the Bastards of Young blare of "Straight from the Box." In a postmodern, post-digital world of ironic genre mash-ups and "where to from here?" trainspotting, Minmae bear the torch for classic indie rock at it finest. ~ Brian Way

The band Minmae's eighth release in just four years, "Ya Te Vas?" (which translates from Spanish as "you already go away") is the breakthrough for this critically acclaimed San Diego indie rock band. Eleven tracks of thoughtful guitar-driven rock, "Ya Te

Personnel: Greg Murphy (drums).

Recording information: Smegma Studios, North Portland, OR (12/2003).