Let's get the obvious out of the way. "Braid" was produced by J. Robbins (Jawbox/Burning Airlines) and they are from the strangely prolific area of Champaign Illinois (which host another of music's best kept secrets "Hum"). Anyone familiar with any of the aformentioned will have a good starting point for that which is "Braid." Let me throw in the Fugazi reference and then let's focus on "Braid."

The name itself is a good correlation of their sound. Softer elements woven together to create a stronger entity, thus is "Braid." The band sports dual singers (one hits like the aforementioned Robbins and the other illicits the stronger Fugazi reference) that pull the dynamic apart more than fuse it together (this is a good thing). Singers Chris Broach and Bob Nanna are about the heaviest and gritties aspect of "Braid." They are capable of harmonizing (some), but the draw is when they play off each other's insecure lyrics in desperate urgency. This vocal duality is what will separate "Braid" from it's easy comparisons. Each track here is delivered with sincere thought and emotion, with attention paid to stuctures, changes and mood. There is a soft edge that belies some of the tension, while hooks abound. The guitars create this tinny wall of strum and struggle against stop/start progressions, as well as light trickle runs for the moodier pieces.

An immediate pleasing listen first time through, and it only gets better with recognition. Managing to rock without rage, and emote without falling prey to wimpy radio cheese, "Braid" are the intelligent, humble, indie-rock fix you should tie off and shoot up right now.