Cursive

Add Date: March 10

Artist: Cursive

Album: Mama, I'm Swollen

Label: Saddle Creek

Genre: Indie rock

Comments: I had been wondering what Tim Kasher and his not-so-merry band of men were up to these days.  On this, Cursive's sixth album, the arrangements seem just the least little bit tamer, but that doesn't mean they don't pack as much punch.  With Kasher pulling double duty between his harder-rocking effort Cursive and his softer -- but in my mind, superior -- group The Good Life, it's becoming increasingly tougher for him to churn out that elusive beast that is a solid album, rather than just a motley collection of songs.  "From the Hips" is a solid rocker built on a folk-charged beat, while follower "I Couldn't Love You" rings with the inspired energy of earlier Cursive work.  The rest of the lot is catchy and clever, Kasher's jaded-wiseguy lyrics at full force, and the band makes use of the horns that made their last album enjoyable.  Give this one time and I think it'll grow.  Also check out the bluesy "Mama, I'm Satan."