All Nerve dodges every pitfall. Reuniting lead sisters Kim and Kelley Deal with bassist Josephine Wiggs and drummer Jim MacPherson, the Breeders’ fifth LP matches the lineup for iconic 1993 hit Last Splash. Lovely “Spacewoman” and “Dawn: Making an Effort” pin Kim’s soft, candied tone against the weight of atmospheric scuzz, and it never gives. While the title track’s big-hearted buildup channels the crew’s establishing alt-pop buoyancy, new ideas stagger the 11 tracks. Monolithic “MetaGoth” and smoky ballad “Walking With a Killer” work through internal frustrations, eloquently tracking out a new era for the Breeders. (3:30pm, HomeAway stage)

****.5

This article appears in October 5 • 2018.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US