Lifted Bells: Lifted Bells

Lifted Bells: Lifted Bells (Naked Ally, 5/31/13)

Combining members from Braid,Their/They’re/There, and Stay Ahead of the Weather, Lifted Bells’ self-titled debut EP is a three-track, nine-minute maelstrom of shimmering, noodly guitar work against a hard-driving rhythm section.

To say that the band makes good use of its time is an understatement. Three tracks isn’t a lot to get to know a five-piece band and its potential, but in the case of Lifted Bells, there’s no such thing as a wasted moment. On a track like “So Solo,” each instrument gets a chance in the spotlight — break-neck drums, slinky bass, the aforementioned whiplash guitars, and Bob Nanna’s soft crooning — giving a proper introduction without sounding like a forced sonic resumé.