PureVolume

Have you ever had a local band that you absolutely adored, but seemed cursed never to gain any acclaim outside of your town? I know I have, and it's difficult to describe the frustration of going to late-night, under-attended bar show after late-night, under-attended bar show watching the crowds remain almost totally stagnant, though as frustrating as it is for the fans I'm sure it's nothing compared to what the bands feel. There are probably a number of Chicagoans who feel the same way about Woolworthy; perhaps they are very successful in their home town, but despite what seems to have been a fairly active past six years for the band I had yet to hear their name before this disc arrived on my doorstep. Knowing that Boss Tuneage records is all about the mid-80s-style post punk I had an idea of what to expect, but I never would have expected that genre to sound this fresh and exciting. To restate that for people who aren't acquainted with bands like the Doughboys and Big Drill Car, Woolworthy play chunky post-punk/pop that lies somewhere between Superchunkland and JimmyEatWorldville, melding radio-rock to punk in a way that feels natural, uncontrived and insanely fresh to these emo-plagued ears. Just listen to "Picture Day," which opens with an incredible Husker Du-ish riff that leads into a chorus brilliant enough to saturate the airwaves. "Picture Day" is one of three brand-new Woolworthy tracks exclusive to Recycler, and fans of the band will be just as happy with the other two insta-hits, "Wallflower" and "Achin' to Bleed," as they will be with "Picture Day." For those who aren't yet (and I emphasize the yet) fans of the band, Recycler is a handy little package that will bring you right up to date, as it compiles all of the band's recorded output to date. So those of you mohawks with a secret adoration for Third Eye Blind's hooks, pick up Recycler for a guilty pleasure that's not quite so guilty. (www.deepfrybonanza.com)

Woolworthy called it a day in 2005, but the members are still playing in the bands The Midnight Shows, Textbook, The Assembly, The Cells, and Muchacha.