The Philistines Jr., Analog vs. Digital (CD)

2000's Analog vs. Digital predates Peter Katis's fame as a recording engineer/producer (Interpol, the National), though Interpol's drummer Sam Fogarino does make a brief cameo near the end. Analog vs. Digital is certainly well-recorded, but its idiosyncratic sound doesn't hint at the commercial success that Katis's handiwork would find soon after this album was made. The Philisitines Jr. represent a weird fork that indie-rock chose not to take, with more references to 70s rock and an extroverted personality that was already out of style in 2000 (and is even moreso today). The album alternates catchy and memorable songs with some more extended tracks that evolve more slowly, and there are many strange keyboard and guitar textures strewn throughout. Katis's cover collages are impressive too, though they're a bit hard to see in the context of a simple jewel case CD package.