I’ve said it ad nauseum in reviews before, but it bears repeating: I appreciate when bands can invoke their influences without being a total sound-alike. Kick the Robot does a good job of that on their record Music to Fight the Future, while keeping the sound fresh, fun, and original at the same time.

This alt-rock trio from Atlanta—Daniel Remel, Dylan Hansen, and Jesse Scarpone—have crafted a fine, organic sound that harkens back to the genre’s bright days in the 90’s. Kick the Robot nails it in tracks like “Moves,” which sounds like something early Muse could have pulled off if they weren’t so busy swimming in their maudlin pool. “Better Without You” and “Maybe I’m Dumb” recall Marcy Playground and the Black Crowes, two zesty songs with unshakeable melodies.

“Gunslinger” and “Ones and Threes” are among the standouts. “Gunslinger” is one of the most original rock tracks in ages, dabbling with alt-country sounds for a rowdy time. “Ones and Threes” layers sounds, at first a quiet contemplative track ‘til it bursts into a dreamy rock kaleidoscope. It incorporates a haunting psychedelic sound; Kick the Robot returns to psychedelia on the bonus track “Almost Brilliant,” the “Ob-La-Di, Oh-La-Da”-esque brouhaha and hoopla.

This full length is well worth a listen; it’s totally fancy-free and beyond fun. Kick the Robot will be celebrating the release of Music to Fight the Future on April 5th with a party and performance at The Vinyl!

Doors 7pm/Show 8pm/All Ages/$7adv/ $10 day of show