Since the dissolution of indie-pop darlings the Anniversary in 2004, Josh Berwanger has recorded two roots-rock records with the Only Children and a solo album in 2013. His newest eponymously named band finds the Kansas native as a skilled purveyor of breezy guitar pop—which is to say, aside from revving the tempos and cranking the amps, Exorcism Rock is not a drastic departure from Berwanger’s solo LP.
As always, the man knows how to bait a hook, although in the lyrical department, he’s no Dylan. Case in point, “Rats & Cats” will make you want to break into dance like the Christmas episode Peanuts gang, but the chorus “Girl, I want you so bad” earns zero points for originality. Later, Berwanger delivers an entire song called “I Want You Bad.” Let’s hope she finally returns his calls so the man can move on to weightier sentiments.
—Matt Ryan
