Another indie offering from the Windy City.

Artist: Chin Up Chin Up
Album: Chin Up Chin Up
Label: Flameshovel Records
Tracks: 9
Running Time: 32 Minutes

Yes, you read correctly. Chin Up Chin Up. Chin Up twice. Chin Up Chin Up are another in a long line of Chicago indie bands.  While I was looking up some info on the band, I learned that their bassist was killed by a drunk driver in 2004. However, most of the bass lines on this self titled album are played by that very bass player, Chris Saathoff. A lot of effort was put into using his bass lines from various demos so Saathoff would continue to be a part of the album. I think that effort and thought shows that the members of Chin Up Chin Up are stand up guys.

Now onto the actual music. Chin Up Chin Up has a solid offering of indie rock on the album. Nothing really sticks out as awful, yet nothing is amazing. The biggest black mark on the album is the vocal mix. You really have to struggle to make any sense of the vocals. They definitely needed turned up in the mix. However, once you get passed that pet peeve, Chin Up Chin Up has a likeable indie album. Standout tracks are the opener "Collide the Tide" and "Pillage the Village." One other track that is worth hearing is "We Should Have Never Lived Like We Were Skyscrapers." The song is the usual indie rock, however it is crossed with techno beats. It is really well done.

Chin Up Chin Up show some potential on this self titled album. However, the disc is still a bit too raw for me liking. I think with some time these guys are going to make some outstanding albums. This Cd is worth picking up if you are into the numerous other Chicago indie bands or like Math Rock. I would not be surprised at all to hear Chin Up Chin Up making some big noise a few years down the road.