On “Secret Handshakes,” Chicago’s Tub Ring runs the gamut. It’s an energetic mash-up of instruments, and amidst thrashing guitars, the band wavers between repetition and effervescent melodies.
Alternating short punk ditties with effects-heavy anthems, Tub Ring is intent on keeping the individual songs on the record as surprising and diverse as possible.
While “Secret Handshakes” isn’t instantly accessible, it rewards listeners who endure the ever-changing variety. In some cases, songs like “Burn,” which clocks in at less than two minutes, fly by, while others, like “The Horrible and the Holy,” repeat ad infinitum. It’s inconsistent, but when the myriad sounds merge, the album strikes an unexpected balance.
Tub Ring’s style may be schizophrenic, but the decision to fuse a multitude of sounds is a refreshing change of pace. It keeps the listener guessing, and while this unpredictability comes with a few disappointments, the band explores the element of surprise.
