Like Wolves

Between 1996 and 2000, At the Drive-In began to make an avant-garde brand of progressive punk that would go on to influence a number of different directions of hard rock in the early '00s. Some bands went the minimalist route of math rock/indie hardcore, while others went on to channel ATDI's strong emotions. Like Wolves fall into the first category with a self-titled debut LP (only available as twelve-inch vinyl or a digital download) that brings the kind of lo-fi, understated sounds that were very familiar in ATDI's wake. Like Wolves' sound is very much one that would have sounded more original in 2002. Today, it comes off as more than a little dated. That isn't to say that Like Wolves isn't a good album and the band aren't great at making the kind of music they're aiming for. It just means this release has an oddly historical quality, with a sound that isn't as prominent as it was a decade ago. Like Wolves is a charming entry into hardcore indie rock, though each of the album's nine tracks is indistinguishable from the next. If you're feeling nostalgic for the early 2000s, you'll enjoy this.