Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s Animal!/Not Animal

Epic Records

4.5 out of 5 stars

If you dig Denver’s whole South Broadway indie-rock, art-pop scene of the hi-dive and the like and you’re not already in love with Indianapolis-based Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s, then you haven’t been paying attention. But you also now have a great reason to clue in on these guys. In a really rare move, the band has released two versions of their sophomore release, Animal! and Not Animal — the former on vinyl only with a digital download card inside and the latter, featuring the band’s original song sequence digitally and on CD. Both are masterful pieces of symphonic pop that incorporate a huge, rich and full sound tied together with lyrics that paint incomprehensively beautiful scenery. The songs aren’t quite as instantly loveable as their debut, The Dust of Retreat, but after only a short time with the tracks the full picture comes into focus to reveal the gorgeous sound within. This (these) release(s) will find itself on a huge list of Best Ofs by year’s end. I simultaneously hope that these guys blow up huge, and stay obscure and remain “ours.” — Brian F. Johnson