Hindershot

It's Only Blood, the debut release from six familiar faces led by Stuart Confer, is about apathy. All four songs address not feeling when you should, and let's just say the perspective isn't exactly hindsight. The title track starts the seven-inch out quietly, building to a pop about halfway through. "Not Ready to Go" comes two tracks later with a similar agenda. Confer has a songwriting style that rewards you with songs that come together in satisfying ways; they're probably a lot of fun to play. An echo of fellow Hot Congress band Amazing Twin -- which shares three members (including Confer) with Hindershot -- comes out in the guitar breakdowns and blossoming chaos. What defines this band, however, is restraint, emotional and otherwise.