In the mood for some good old indie rock with a touch of local barroom attitude? Then have a listen to The Ankles and enjoy their reckless sense of fun. "On Ice" is energetic, unrefined, yet sung with a calm and determined tone that oozes with honesty. The Ankles heavy riffs coupled with a background beat gives off a precise and appreciated energy that is sometime lacking in a lot of the indie groups out there on the road today. Do yourself a favor and have a listen to "On Ice" and get a feel for good rock with a carefree approach.
- abercrombie.com

The Ankles with The Sweet Impala @ The Comet
The word "drunken" pops up several times in the press propaganda for Jersey City's The Ankles. But, while there are certainly moments of sloshy swagger on the group's recent release, Kill Themselves (on Hoboken indie Maggadee Records), the down mood and songs of regret, bitterness and indignation seem to be more befitting a "morning after" descriptor. The Ankles secrete the languid, unkempt Indie Rock indolence on which Pavement built their house of slack, but a punchy, assertive rhythm section, intermittent chiming keyboard sprinkles and burly, sometimes dissonant guitar keeps the listener from questioning their effort and breaking out the smelling salts. This is energetic stuff that is actually quite similar in tone to early Afghan Whigs, with its sheets of ragged sound and, especially, in singer/guitarist Shawn Towey occasionally tone-challenged vocal bleeding. Like the Whigs' Greg Dulli, the note-reaching is often so endearingly expressive and soulful that it's forgivable and appropriate. The dual guitar interplay makes Kill Themselves a keeper -- Towey and Fred MaCaraeg's six-string sparring on songs like "Temper Temper" and the fantastic "Sparkling &" creates an engulfing glaze. Album closer "The Little Dinosaurs" finds the band at its most expansive and just happens to be the disc's finest cut; the escalating dynamic between the watery verses and burrowing chorus has an irresistibly fluid effectiveness. Kill Themselves isn't an album for listeners looking for pure note-perfect exactness, but those who appreciate Guitar Rock that's a little manic and tattered around the edges will find it passionate and engaging. (MB)