Sainthood Reps is one of those groups that unfortunately has a tendency to fly under people’s radar. Hopefully this won’t last for long, since they have the musicianship and showmanship to back up an alternate point of view.

Sainthood Reps of Long Island, NY signed to Tooth and Nail Records last year and quietly recorded a record literally inside a house, with a lesser known producer. The title track, “Monoculture,” appeared on a sampler released last summer but it sat unplayed on my iPod for months, because for some reason it just didn’t grab me. Their live show changed everything though.

Recently I saw them open for ambient hard rock groups Junius and O’Brother in the Basement in Columbus, OH. Right away I could tell they were the real deal, especially, vocalist Francesco. After the show I bought the record.

Title track “Monoculture” is certainly not any kind of a radio single, but that’s not the audience the quartet is looking to reach. As far as sound, I would lump these guys in with both early Showbread and early mewithoutYou. As I read elsewhere online, they bring enough indie influence to please the hipsters and enough punch to satisfy the hardcore kids. “Animal Glue” just won’t leave my head (why didn’t I hear that track first?) and “Dingus” gets your adrenaline going with a crescendoing drum fill as its intro. “Telemarketeer” and “Reactor, reactor, reactor, REACTOR!” sound like something I would hear on Showbread’s Who Can Know It? record.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbjIvfVzTx4&h=297&w=450]

Many are decrying the “fall” of Tooth and Nail Records as a label as they sign what many perceive to be “trendy” bands in favor of those with actual substance. Whatever your point of view on this, I think Sainthood Reps defies this accusation. These guys are lyrically thought-provoking, and bring unique musicianship to the scene in a way that is just right – they don’t try too hard. I would like to hear more of the chaotic influence found in “Dingus” and “Monoculture” in the future, but maybe the fact I’m left wanting is a good thing. Less can be more, and Sainthood Reps is likely on to this as well. Bottom line – jaded and novice fans of the indie and heavier rock scenes will find things about this record to appreciate.

Score: 3.5/5