Rubberneck
Rubberneck makes a cheerful guitar hook feel slightly threatening. Toadies have a good instinct for a tune that sticks, but the voice delivering it often sounds strained, suspicious or on the verge of a shout. That friction gives these compact songs a character far beyond their straightforward setup.
The instrumental Mexican Hairless is a smart beginning. Bass, drums and guitars establish the band's close coordination before a vocal can become the centre of attention. Mister Love then brings Vaden Todd Lewis into the picture, moving between a quieter tone and a much harsher attack without losing the band's momentum.
Possum Kingdom is the obvious attraction, but its melodic ease does not make it comfortable. Lewis gives the song an insistent presence, and the rhythm has enough irregular movement to keep the invitation uneasy. The hook draws the listener in while the performance makes the welcome difficult to trust.
Backslider and I Come from the Water reveal more of the record's roots. There is a bluesy movement beneath the forceful guitar sound, and the latter's shuffle gives the band a particularly physical swing. The religious language in Backslider also adds a specific tension to Lewis' delivery. His intensity has a setting and a subject, which makes it more effective than a general expression of anger.
Tyler is another high point because its narrative gradually changes the meaning of the song around it. The music gives the story enough room to become disturbing without needing a different sound for every turn. Away is effective in a more immediate way, using a drop in the backing to make the return of the band feel larger.
A few tracks offer less distinction. Quitter and Velvet keep the energy up, but their grievances and musical shapes are less compelling than the record's stranger stories. The short running time helps keep those passages from becoming a serious drag.
What makes Rubberneck last is the connection between its tightly played music and its uneasy imagination. The songs can be fun to move to while leaving something unresolved in the air. Toadies make that combination feel natural, with enough melodic confidence to let the discomfort remain.
