The debut LP from this local quintet reflects the seasoned know-how of its makers. Three of the group’s members, including frontman Tim Regan, cut their teeth in now defunct Oh No! Oh My!, while bassist Daniel Wilcox moonlights in the Ugly Beats. The gents’ experience casts a poised, mature POV over their Texas-spun indie rock. On vibraphone-led opener “Record Shop,” the Memphis-bred singer waxes wise, wistful. Marred but hopeful, he pleads: “Make me believe, once again.” Later, “Always Drunk” hints at sophomoric cliche, but even that organ-led upper eventually clarifies a former flame’s intoxication “on poetry or wine.” Keys anchor the outfit, though peak “Midnight Companion” briefly eases that dominance with an enticing dual guitar riff capping an escalating Southern-jangle crescendo. TNW may have gleaned its title from a Pavement song, but the sound is wholly Wilco-derived. Flow falters briefly, when Regan’s palatable vocals battle with undue backup in twangy “Tennessee Memories” and closer “Friends,” but Texas Never Whispers makes itself heard.
This article appears in June 19 • 2015.