Rookery

Rotary Downs’ psychedelic, free jazz-like feel to its songs will instantly make you think of Pavement. It’s a rather lofty comparison and make no mistake, this is no Pavement, but the New Orleans six-piece really does sound a lot like the iconic indie outfit, just a bit bulkier. Much of Cracked Maps and Blue Reports is laced with loose guitar solos that have a tendency to run long and slightly amuck, but there’s a kind of beauty in that wild unpredictability, also displayed in the explosive horns that follow on “Wild Pink in Super 8.” Vocal-wise, guitarist/singer James Marler sure does sound a lot like Stephen Malkmus, but when coupled with other vocalist Tiffany Lamson, it creates a nice contrast.