Propelled by emotional choruses and massive guitars, The Roman Numeral Three are on the fast-track to make a name for themselves far outside their hometown of Raynham, MA. While their sound is heavily rooted in punk, the band manage to add their own unique twist, creating a genre that is something more than just “punk”—it’s damn good music. I found myself particularly drawn to the second track from their most recent release, On Baker Road. The song, “Woke Up Sick” really focuses on the rhythm section, with verses that feature a driving back-beat of snare and bass drum. Towards the end of the song, drummer Kevin O’Connor really lets loose, showcasing his talents with a series of tight fills.

Not to be shown up, track six, “Still Alive” features the blistering guitar work of Mike Rague. Rague’s guitar work is swift and accurate, getting messy at some points but just messy enough that you are able to tell that this guy really knows his stuff. After listening to their entire record, this is clearly a group of talented musicians with a clearly defined sound.

I was also impressed with the band’s use of gang vocals throughout the entire record. I thought they added to the energy of the songs and really served to engage the listener (or more specifically me, the blog writer). I was picturing myself throwing my fists in the air in the middle of the pit as I listened to this record.

Overall, On Baker Road is a great record. I could easily picture this band on the roster of Asian Man Records, playing a gig with Matt Skiba or something like that.–Daniel McMahon

Boston’s power pop, garage scene has no shortage of guitar pickers looking to make Beantown proud at home and across these here United States. Among these eager young space case cadets that are on the rise is garage pop four-piece Pretty & Nice. Beginning as a two piece project in the lost city of Burlington VT, the lineup has expanded and spent the better half of a decade making their way through basements and dive bars making their mark as a self-made touring band. Now, they prepare to release their new full length album with an odd collection of off-tempo pop anthems that the band hopes to use to cement their place as one of Boston’s most recognizable bands.

Pretty & Nice premiered in 2006 with the punk/60’s garage influenced Pink & Blue; a ten song L.P recorded by the band’s founding members Holden Lewis and Jeremy Mendicinio. Once forming into a full touring band, they released an EP’s worth of selected remixes called Blue & Blue. Gaining the support of independent record label Hardly Art, they became a hit in the Boston area with their second full length album, Get Young. The band has since toured nationally several times over and has had great success as a returning act to Austin’s SXSW festival.

This third LP keeps many of the band’s original sounds and trademarks in tact, but has a much more ambitious production and theme. With the mantra “We are all instruments” strewn throughout, the songs possess a series of tempo shifts, tone divergents, and quirky pop hooks. Reminiscent of such modern bands as Vampire Weekend and classic acts as David Bowie, it is both poppy enough to be accessible but interesting enough to study. For promotion of the new album, the band will be releasing a 7”, Fantastic Artifact. The release will include a single from the upcoming album entitled Yonkers as well as a cover of Genesis’s "Get Better". The full L.P. is due out in the summer.–Anthony Geehan