The tiny writing scrawled across the cover of Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s new album is nearly illegible; it was a humble cry to take it home and give it a listen. Sling Shot to Heaven, the fifth album released by the Indianapolis band swept me off my feet, unexpectedly. For a band that has been around since 2005, what they do, they do well. Richard Edwards voice is perfectly harmonized with Heidi Gluck and Kenny Childers to bring you thirteen songs that are perfect for when you are feeling introverted.
The overall pace of the LP is quite slow. Almost all of the tracks on this album are heavy on acoustic and piano elements. The tracks “Los Angeles” and “Long Legged Blonde Memphis’ are a welcome break from this, boasting more of an indie-rock vibe. Intriguing musical overtures at the beginning of each track will certainly peak your interest. This is particularly evident on the track “Wedding Song,” where the song takes a sharp turn after the beginning.
As a band that has gone through many changes in its members over the years, their sound is hard to pin down under any particular genre. My best guess would be melancholy indie with an acoustic chaser. The one member who has stuck around through the changes is songwriter Richard Edwards, which is evident through the touching and clever lyrics on Sling Shot to Heaven. Take a chance on this album. Margot & the Nuclear So and So’s really know their stuff. (Mariel Recording Company, margotandthenuclearsoandsos.com) Raegan Hedley