Chicago's Ratboys, led by singer/guitarist Julia Steiner and guitarist Dave Sagan, release its sophomore album entitled GN. Drawing influence from the down-to-earth sincerity of late-'90s Sheryl Crow and the confessional confidence of Kim Deal and Jenny Lewis, the songs on GN (aka ‘goodnight’) “largely detail experiences of saying goodbye, finding your way home, and then figuring out what the hell to do once you’re back,” according to Steiner...

There's a nostalgic flare to Ratboy's new album GN. There are segments that I picked up here and there that reminded me of a half remembered dream; of an old familiar song that I couldn't place... That's how under your skin this album will get.

Julia Steiner's vocal's range from soft and sweet to bold and confident. There's no mistaking that it's her voice that gives a personality to these 10 songs (42 min, 41 sec).

It's hard not to get engrossed in tracks like 'Elvis'; 'Control'; and 'The Record'. This is fuzzy rock at its most interesting.

7

Nick Smithson