They’re a quintet with a true group sound. What’s that mean? Well, in this case it means the musicians and the music all seem to serve the song. Everybody is skilled at their craft but you don’t walk away thinking “hot damn, that was a fine guitar solo”. I’m not even sure there’s a guitar solo on here. Or keyboard. It’s all about the melody for The Hudson Branch and their release World Kid. Plus, there are two sets of brothers in the band which could be a first for Local Anesthetic. Tune in Sunday night at 7:30 for music and conversation with the band.

Lots of strong songs here with interesting musical undercurrents. John McEntire of Tortoise and The Sea and Cake was the recording engineer and the sonic textures he brings to both those bands is evident on, if not all, at least the tracks where that kind of shimmy and shake was called for. Inspired choice. What I also love about this disc is how it flows to what sounds like a logical musical conclusion. There is an overall thought process that permeates the tunes and it all comes to a fine finish on the final track. Nice to hear a disc where some obvious thought went in to maximizing it’s impact. Find out more when The Hudson Branch drop by for a chat and play some tunes from World Kid on Local Anesthetic, this Sunday night at 7:30 here on XRT.