Here is the review of Awkwardsville by Thor Christensen, Cincinnati Enquirer:
Cincinnati's Psychodots play tuneful power-pop as well as anyone. But on "Awkwardsville", the 'Dots remind us they're more than just the sum of their catchy melodies.
Rob Fetters, Bob Nyswonger and Chris Arduser craft short, punchy rock songs that defy you not to sing along (like "Mattress" and "Lucky Me"). But their third album shines the brightest during its most esoteric moments, like "Joy and Madness," a wistful folk ballad with harmonies from Karin Berquist of Over the Rhine.
The Psychodots stretch out lyrically on the album, too. While most power-pop bands focus solely on love and lust, the trio writes existential vignettes ("More to Life") and nightmarish stories straight out of "Deliverance" (the mandolin-laced "Hell").
Singer-guitarist Fetters sums up a character in "Mattress" with the line:
"She plays guitar so awful like the singer from the Breeders," TOUCHE.
But Fetters can get away with a crack like that. Fueling songs with Middle Eastern riffs and other worldly solos, he sparks "Awkwardsville" with his daring guitar.
Thanks to Amy Steinkamp for the review.