RECOMMENDED
The illustrious Film School has gone through some heavy changes over the last year, including a near-complete lineup revamp, but leader Greg Bertens is still in charge, and “Hideout,” the San Francisco band’s latest, follows up 2006’s pleasing self-titled effort quite well. The band’s become considerably more shoegazer, even adding the vocals of Lorelei Plotczk, and the continual plunge into the depths once explored by Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine only improves the band. Songs like “Lectric” and “Sick Hipster Nursed by Suicide Girl” should quench all your ethereal, space-rock thirsts. Live, the band is vicious, which adds a new element to the already raw indie rock. The one drawback, one might say, is that Film School isn’t treading any new ground here and, in the scheme of things, isn’t as effective as its predecessors. That’s true, but it certainly doesn’t make “Two Kinds” anything less than a great rock song. The synths, specific drumming, dreamy vocal delivery and Fall-like guitar work come together to make something special, dark and alarming. (Tom Lynch)
Film School plays October 31 at Schubas, 3159 North Southport, (773)525-2508, at 9pm. $12.
