Break Your Arm For Evolution (CD)

The follow-up to their acclaimed 2006 debut. "Break Your Arm For Evolution" finds John Szymanski (vox, keyboards), Dave Shettler (drums, programming), and Marty Morris (vox, guitar) further expanding their sonic horizons and fearlessly morphing genres. SSM likes to flirt and "Break Your Arm For Evolution" is not merely a title but an earnest philosophy : the endlessly catchy Daft Punk-meets-The Seeds of "Dj Vu," the psychedelic kraut rock'n'roll of "Regenerate Your Face" transforms itself into the synth pop of "Let's Make a Baby", which metamorphoses into the indie alternative dance "Start Dancing" and quickly burst into the punk rock "Emotional Tourist", all the while challenging the traditional conventions of pop songwriting."Since SSM is a Detroit garage-rock band composed of three Detroit garage-rock veterans, it's fitting that the group's second album opens with a song titled "Deja Vu." Yet not everything on "Break Your Arm for Evolution" has been heard before -- at least not quite this way. Named for the musicians's initials, SSM can power a bluesy stomp just as heartily as the former bands of keyboardist John Szymanski (the Hentchmen), drummer Dave Shettler (the Sights) and guitarist Marty Morris (the Cyril Lords). But the trio also ventures into funk, synth-pop, glam-rock and psychedelia." - Mark Jenkins/Washington Post"The kind of distortion that edges the vocals and most of the instruments on the album "Break Your Arm for Evolutio" (Alive) tags SSM as garage-rock or psychedelia, and most of the songs would go nicely with a liquid-blob light show. But this three-man band - John Szymanski on keyboards, Dave Shettler on drums and Marty Morris on guitar - doesn't stay within any particular school or era. SSM also toys with electro, progressive rock and punk-funk. What the songs share is a cantankerous rock spirit and, behind it, musings on life and death, from "Let's Make a Baby" to thoughts like "Before long you're gone, so prolong the inevitable" - which is tucked into a song called "Start Dancing." - Jon Pareles/The New York Times"The production (by SSM with some help from Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys) manages to sound full-bodied, clear, and just the right kind of trashy at the same time, and the jams hit a graceful balance between funky and clever -- Break Your Arm for Evolution is that rare album that promises if you free your ass your brain will follow, and the best moments deliver on that heady guarantee. - Mark Deming/All Music Guide

• Format: CD
• Genre: Rock