While the title We're Bicoastal may have you thinking that Rat Cat Hogan's latest album was recorded via tape trading through the postal service, the band's seventh release was actually recorded in Seattle at drummer Robbie Skrocki's home studio.

A quick listen reveals a crisp sounding album exhibits a rather intimate feel thanks to guitarist/vocalist Herbert Bergel's hushed vocal delivery. Lyrically Bergel avoids the fantastic instead choosing to focus on life events and moments with lyrics containing a heavy dose of dialogue as well as brief biographies of relatives and friends. The delivery is unique and in many ways reflects the stream of consciousness style of the lyrics.

We're Bicoastal has both quiet and somewhat raucous moments and despite the band being a duo manages to maintain a full sound. Multiple guitar tracks help, but Skrocki's active drumming helps even more. Without overpowering the tracks he is able to fill every nook and cranny with just the right "rat-a-tat-tat tink-tink clunk".