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I am a man that likes to classify my music. Genres, sub genres, micro genres, whatever. It makes it easier for me to sift through the endless influx of new (or old) music coming at me. SICMaN of VA however, has left me stumped. I concede that this is rock’n roll but beyond that it goes in too many directions for me to put it in any neat little category. Despite my lack of a descriptor “stale as it ever was” is a strong third showing for thisSouthside based trio. They is a band that play good music.

At this point, you may ask “Well thats all fine and good, but what do they sound like?” To that, I would say; Do you remember the first time you heard “ The Violent Femmes”? It’s kinda like that except it sounds nothing like “The Violent Femmes”. There is a very consistent production throughout the album although no two songs sound alike.

So, after fifteen or so listens (yeah, its that good) I still have no idea how to describe this. If you like the Flaming Lips, Joy Division, Hendrix, the White Stripes, James Taylor, Parliament/Funkadelic, Minutemen or just the idea of any of these bands you’ll want to get this. It’s available at iTunes, bandcamp, or preferably at any SICMaN performance..

True story: over the span of four super-fun songs, Crissy Babe and The Dastards lit an it's-Saturday-night-and-I'm-ready-for-some-fun fire in my grumpy, oh-no-it's-Sunday heart.

It was one of those cold Sunday afternoons where all I could think about was Monday. And work. And yeah, you know the rest. But from the opening clatter of "Straight Now that We're Through," I was sold. Critzi Walsh has a likable, girl-next-door voice that sounds maybe a wee bit like Zooey Deschanel's. And her ukulele strummin' blends swimmingly with Billy England's skronkin' guitar, Jason Russell's bumpin' bass, and Matt Katherman's tasty drums. There's a little jazz here, a little honky-tonk there. And even though I was sitting in front of my computer in my Sunday worst playing Facebook Scrabble when the last track, "Whore of Babylon," swung to a close, in my mind, I was surrounded by friends at my favorite dive bar, three or four beers into a night that wouldn't be ending anytime soon.

If you can count yourself as a person who has seen The Muckrakes live, you know what they sound like live. Those of you who haven’t seen The Muckrakes live: this is what they sound like. And what they happen to sound like is, well, pretty awesome.

I don't know what kind of band to call The Muckrakes—maybe an alt/indie/Americana/rock band? Be that as it may, “The Muckrakes Live,” which includes seven songs from the band’s Oct. 8, 2011, show at the Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills, NC, sounds better than any live EP should. It’s uber dynamic and crisp, and the song choices are well rounded. From the mysterious and trippy “Heartache” to the boot-stomping “Black Rock,” this thing keeps you listening all the way though. Giant buildups and long releases like those in the “More Haggard than Merle/Radio Medley” and “Bottle Rocket” bring to mind early ’70s psychedelic rock. Throughout the EP, Jon Owings and Cory Nealon deliver great vocal performances: they really sell it. Would it be wrong to throw an Allman Brothers reference in there? This is just one of those bands that has it together. So if that sounds like something you might like, The Muckrakes are offering a free download on their Bandcamp page. And while you’re at it, you can visit them here or here.