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In the early ‘aughts, Centro-matic was one of the most prolific bands on the indie scene, eschewing the “three years between records” bull-feces and dropping new LPs at least once, often twice, sometimes three times a year – and that’s not counting the EPs, singles, side projects and solo records that proliferated in between. The band has slowed down in recent years, what with bandleader Will Johnson‘s stint in Monsters of Folk, drummer Matt Pence‘s production career, keyboardist/violinist Scott Danbom‘s session work and the recent fatherhood of Johnson and bassist Mark Hedman. But that just gave the group time to hone Candidate Waltz, the group’s first full-length album since 2008’s Dual Hawks, to a fine point. In the past the band has always left the rough edges on its tracks, giving its grainy roots pop the feel of being recorded right after it was conceived. This time, however, tunes like “Solid States,” “Against the Line” and “All the Talkers” show as much dedication to craft as spontaneity – even the droning “On in My Double Mind’ and the ragged “If They Talk You Down” feel designed to hold up over hundreds of listens. Described by Johnson as the band’s “meat and potatoes pop record,” Candidate Waltz contains the most focused, melodic tunes of Centro-matic’s career.
