Initiation Rites, immediately, the moment it opens with “No Conspiracy“, is very, very Slackers. I think this is mostly due to Tim’s vocals having a Vic-Ruggerio-like quality, although there’s definitely a little bit more punch to the underbelly in the rest of the band’s attack.
“The Ballad of Jenny Horne” makes me think of a world where Murder By Death carried on with their misery-laced thematic-story telling but also listened to far too much World Inferno Friendship Society. The EP ebbs and flows, with some very catchy musicality. All whilst still telling a story? Fantastic.