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Brooklyn's Blood on the Wall has always been a band on the cusp of a distinct identity. Punch drunk on their early-1991 alt-rock mixtape of influences, the members had the swagger to stand up with their heroes but not the tunes to transcend them. On their last two Social Registry albums, with "Mae Abeline" and "Mary Susan" respectively, their giddy enthusiasm converted familiar lo-fi textures into balls-out rocking that forced a break from trainspotting for a couple of minutes at least. Though the consistency of the band's forthcoming Liferz LP is a mystery as of now, they've cleared that low bar at least one more time (and without even naming it after a girl).

"Hibernation" is immediately at full gallop, with drummer Miggy Littleton giving his cohorts little chance to meander. The frantic rush doesn't blatantly evoke the proto-grunge names usually pinned to their sleeve. If anything, Brad Shanks's almost melodic mumblings sound like they could have come from an early fuzzed out R.E.M. demo. Crucially, he slips a few trembles into his deadpan, forcing shades of melody into the percussive drive. The choruses are a messy boy-girl pileup, fun and unhinged like Royal Trux minus the debauchery. There's even a sliver of empty space where Shanks's sister Courtney can insert her dissaffected whisper, but the dominance of the drums is never in question. Intriguing nuances are only frosting on the pogo puff.