.22 (pronounced “twenty-two”) is a Chicago indie rock band. The lineup always has been and forever will be Brian O. (guitars and vocals), Lindsey G. (basses) and Brad W. (drums).
.22’s debut EP, 1998’s Watertown, was recorded by Steve Albini in Chicago IL in 3 days. Watertown featured what is now the hallmark .22 sound – aggressive, clever-sad lyrics; sharp, angular guitars; ultramelodic bass lines; and big Bonham-esque drums. Watertown brought .22 comparisons to everyone from Hüsker Dü to Arcwelder, Polvo, Dianogah and Superchunk.
In support of Watertown, played a number of high profile shows with artists such as Stephen Malkmus, Idlewild, Silkworm and Hum. Then, in summer 2001, commenced work on its first long player. Once again recording with Mr. Albini, The Worker was recorded over the course of the next year, with .22 applying the final brushstrokes to The Worker in summer 2002.
By Chicago indie rock standards, and certainly as compared to Watertown, The Worker is a subtle affair. Standout tracks such as “Twain”, “The Worker” and “Academy” might bring to mind “Automatic for the People” as filtered through “Girls Can Tell”. Brian O.’s clear, sincere vocals come to the forefront – and we learn that he is not pleased. Sometime, the insults are subtle: “The candelabra’s around your neck / The bones are broken in your head”, he sings in “Twain”. At other times, the vitriol is clear: “Think back to times you had / And blackout like your dad” (“Blackout”). In keeping with the lyrical progression of The Worker, sparing extras such as violin and breaking glass are added to flesh out the .22 sound.
Yet The Worker is not all twilight. “Einstein” crushes all in its path, and “Blackout” and “The Worker” build to exhilarating crescendos. However, it’s in the quieter spaces where .22 thrills on The Worker, and it’s the quieter spaces they seek to share with You.
R.I.Y.L.: Spoon, Archers of Loaf, Shipping News, Death Cab for Cutie
What the press says:
“The Worker is clever, big in sound and small in production, with the right mix of distorted emo-esque hooks and sparse rock exploration. The Worker demonstrates that .22 continually manages to expand its music without losing what made it so inviting in the first place.” Amazon.com
For more information, visit their website: http://www.roydale.com/22.html
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