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With the release of their latest album, "Easiest to Grab," Alaskan natives The Wagner Logic have concentrated their efforts, giving rise to a new form of music they call "Basementia." In short, this new genre entails a hodgepodge of indie and lo-fi garage rock with '60s influenced psychedelia that The Wagner Logic manages to fuse into an album. Unfortunately, the finished product doesn't quite sound as good as its description. There are clearly some well-written aspects here, especially throughout the many guitar melodies. Tracks like "Up A River" and "Conflicting Sound" are the album's definite peak with eerie yet catchy melodies and erratic backing vocals. Sadly though, the monotony of essentially everything else inhibits the album from developing any further. "Arizona," the album's fifth track, sounds almost identical to any track The Vines have ever recorded. And as a whole, "Easiest to Grab" hasn't got a whole lot that grabs this listener. It's too bad this is the case too, because after listening to the first four promising tracks, it seems like The Wagner Logic might be onto something. From that point forward, though, the record loses steam quickly and dismisses any previous hopes with a vengeance. The Wagner Logic have tried to create something here that is truly their own, and for that they do deserve some credit. However, the album could be a whole lot better if it had remained consistent with its own theme. -ROB NATALIE

"Short and sweet” is probably the most appropriate way to describe The Wagner Logic’s new album Easiest to Grab. The Alaskan band, self-professed creator of the new genre “basementia,” has created an album full of musical Jujubes — sticky little gobs that require quite a bit of digestion. But like Jujubes, these songs are ultimately unsatisfying; while interesting and fun to listen to on the whole, they don’t seem to lead anywhere. The album begins pensively, embarking upon a meditative journey in the title track: “I’ll sit here and stair [sic] at a dead end / And while they’re late / You’ll pretend you weren’t there waiting / Sometimes what goes around / Is the easiest to grab.” Then it’s on to the jaunty, pop-infused “Ambulance,” which is as fun as it is danceable. The strong beat of “Conflicting Sound” flows into the succinct, head-bobbing “Up a River.” “Arizona” alternates between tuneless screams and Sprechstimme and is followed by the noisy, interference-laced “Scratch Our Throats.” “The Bird Song” is the most tuneful track with feather-light vocals and a sustained melody; it is also the least self-conscious and makes the most musical sense, combining an oft-syncopated drum beat with a keening guitar and well-chosen use of synth at the end. “So Hard” comes off as intentionally whiny (“It’s so hard to heal / It’s so hard / Of all the things you steal / It’s the pain that’s real”), bolstered by shrill guitars and a rambling dissonant melody. And finally, the plaintive and cynical “What Began to Splinter,” with its wailing vocals to match the disillusioned lyrics, “Look out the car window / There’s no help beside the road / Drive your fastest / Avoid all glances.” Easiest to Grab is an album that doesn’t entirely live up to its potential. There are some interesting songs and fine feats of musicianship, but it lacks the cohesion that could truly make it pop. (Wilderhood Records)