
When the press release for a new record includes text like this: "inspired by Philip Roth's American Pastoral , he (Abraham Levitan) began writing about suburban dystopia," we're in. Phillip Roth! Suburban dystopia! Yes! Sign us up! (Note to band's that we haven't listened to who want to get on our radar: mention a great American novel(ist) in your press packet and your odds of us being intrigued skyrocket. Example: The songwriting of new band X shows the influence of Saul Bellow. Done. We're going to listen.) While citing Roth as an influence is setting the bar [...]