If I didn't know any better, I might've guessed that this record came out about fifteen years ago, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. 1986 sound like they could be one of those bands that came out of Boston in the late eighties/early nineties. Not in an overly derivative way — they don't sound like an imitation — but I can imagine an alternate universe in which these guys are touring as the opening act for Buffalo Tom and J Mascis is playing a ridiculous guitar solo over one or two of their tracks. As it is they're from Austin, Texas and have a Melvin producing. They play straight-up noisy guitar indie rock, occasionally tinged with some country in the style of early Uncle Tupelo. They're good songwriters, and although the lyrics aren't going to change your life, they give you something to sing along with, particularly on "Better When You're Stoned", "I Know", and "Narcotic". Listening to 1986 makes you realize just how truly crappy is most of the guitar music that has climbed to the top of the charts in the past couple years — listen to "It's Too Bad" and you'll understand what Franz Ferdinand would sound like if they actually had some nuts and swagger. Listen to the track after that and you'll be in a blissful world in which you've forgotten that Franz Ferdinand ever existed. If 1986 come to your hometown then you'd better go see them, because on the evidence of this record their live show must be a hell of a good time. In the meantime, buy the album, so when they do come you can sing along when they start telling you that "it all depends on your small blue friends."