Often referred to as the punk rock pirates of the math rock world, June of 44 were a collective from 1994 to 2000. Truly a who’s who of the indie world, the band consisted of member and ex-members of Rodan, Rex, Crownhate Ruin, Codeine, Sonora, and Hoover, all of whom were living in different cities at the time. June of 44 had six releases in as many years before members went on to form Him, The Sonora Pine, and The Shipping News.

On their fourth full-length album Four Great Points, June of 44 furthered their sound. The album reflects the ideals of rock, fusing them with arty almost dub-like passages to make a newer sound. Instrumentals bleed with an unbelievably mesmerizing bass while the vocals barely reveal themselves, breathing into the listener as if they are having a personal conversation with the band.

Tracks like “The Dexterity of Luck” and “Lifted Bells” push expectations to the limit and succeed in inducing a trance-like state with a neo-dub feel. The opener “Of Information & Belief” is the son to put on repeat, landing in between June of 44’s over-the-top rocking with serene, almost pretty, dynamic ambience. Violins, percussion, echoed effects, Fred’s trumpet, and the typewriter all work together in an earthy, cohesive sound in this hyper-noisy world.

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