[rating=2.00]
Shapes and Sizes sophomore effort, Split Lips, Winning Hips, A Shiner," exerts less of an impact than their self-titled debut by taking itself too seriously. Despite that, the band continues to engage in an intellectual slugfest, creating their form of art rock by hammering away at convention. Here you will find an array of horns, notes from a music box, and static all working together to produce progressive sound.
Caila Thompson-Hannant, who has more than demonstrated her ability to belt out notes like Kate Pierson, tests the mettle of her vocal talent again with a jazzy performance in “Geese” and a Gregorian chant-like performance in “The Taste in My Mouth.” The band’s high energy tunes are back as well with “Victory in War” and the one-man-band flavor of “Highlife (I Had Been Duped)”. What is missing on Split Lips are the catchy, memorable (and often morbid) lyrics that were present on their first album, which leaves this contender on the ropes.
