From their cheeky band name to album title to cover art, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Memphis-based Organ Thief’s self-produced debut. However, I was pleasantly surprised, and it’s become a regular part of my CD rotation for the last couple of weeks. Guitar leads often overlay some very funky rhythms, a sort of post-punk funk that’s a bit more Sonic Youth than Red Hot Chili Peppers.

On Orphan Teeth, Brian Costner’s guitar parts really grab hold, often with lots of reverb and delay, creating a hypnotic “wall of sound.” Likewise, Kirk Rawling’s vocals are strong throughout, particularly on “Sound of Sarcasm,” where he could pass for Ian McCullough at times. Organ Thief shows their range on this album, exhibiting funk, blues, and reggae influences in tandem with their post-punk, experimental sound (not to mention some segue outtakes of drunken conversations about Michael Jackson). In short, it’s all good.