Louisville, KY has had a pretty impressive musical legacy. Slint, Crain, and Will Oldham all got their start in the small college town. Waterproof Blond is the latest musical export and it couldn't be further away from the start/stop, loud/soft oblique indie rock of Louisville's past. Instead, the band is always loud (even on the slower songs like "Parade") and never stopping. Rachel Hagan's voice rocks like vintage Chrissie Hynde, and the band backing her rocks like a 90's college radio band (a good thing). There are no gimmicks here and the band does not try to hide behind a shield of hipness (thought they could if they chose). Mick Jagger said it best: "It's only rock 'n' roll, but I like it".

Brad Filicky