Recorded at Kraptone Studios, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Personnel: Eric Bachmann (vocals, guitar); Matt Gentling (vocals); Eric Johnson (guitar); Mark Price (drums).

Recording information: Kraptone Studios, Chapel Hill, NC.

Ah, North Carolina. Can anyone explain why it's been such a hotbed of original-sounding music? Why every year there's a new crop from the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill triangle? Sure, it has lots of colleges, but there's gotta be more to it. Never mind the silly band name and LP title, here's a two-guitar quartet that takes a normal starting point -- whirling, loud, harsh guitar pop with an unpredictable edge -- and adds a bawling, full-throated vocalist named Eric Bachmann, who himself sounds like he's been singing all night and his voice is a little sore (just enough to make him sound like he really means it). Or like Ric Ocasek singing his lungs out for a change, on top of a roaring, screaming loud band. Which means if they're on the same bill with Dillon Fence, DF is the polite, ringing hook band, while these guys are gonna jump-start the keg party. Music to sing to and bounce off the walls to at the same time, with all that Southern quirky dedication and sincerity and congeniality that make us love the place so much. ~ Jack Rabid

Archers of Loaf is one of the bands from "America's heartland"--in its case, North Carolina--that is keeping the fires of raw punk rock/rock & roll burning. Two guitars, bass, and drums, complete with a singer that sounds like he's worn his voice down singing/shouting along to the early Replacements, Husker Du, and Sugar records. "Might" has the rough, yowling elan of pre-LET IT BE Replacements and "Fat" roars with a surly energy that makes the Smashing Pumpkins sound like Ricky Martin. Which is not to say these fellows don't have a gentle side--the grungy semi-ballad "Hate Paste" has a really nice acoustic guitar motif that is flavored by Irish folk and Delta blue strains. Those who like the shambling power of the early albums by Buffalo Tom and the aforementioned bands should give METTLE a try.