moe. - Dither (2001)

Dither, moe.'s first studio release since 1998's Tin Cans and Car Tires, found moe. exploring similar territory to Wilco's Summerteeth album, with a lesser degree of success. The songs themselves are curiously good, though moe.'s arrangements are perhaps too rooted in endless playing on the road, where the band spends most of its time. As such, extra instruments and production effects -- pianos, filter sweeps, DJs, synthesizers, and more -- often sound unfortunately tacked on. In places, though -- such as the incredibly catchy Paul Simon-influenced "New York City" or the introduction to the bittersweet "Faker" -- the group manages to transcend its limitations. While the sound is cluttered, it also finds two original voices emerging from the group: bassist Rob Derhak and, to a slightly lesser extent, guitarist Al Schnier. © Jesse Jarnow /TiVo