Bad Books has always, it seems at least, to be a band that’s more of a labor of love than anything else. Between the fact that all of the members have a lot going on with other projects, their first two albums where bookmarked by personal triumphs outside the group. However on their third full length III, the trio proves that great music needs to be heard.

The songs here have a mixture of the sounds found on their debut coupled with dual vocals and complexities that stir together to hone in on a sound that works. “UFO” feels like a modern interpretation of sixties era folk, “Neighborhood” has a personal feel that comes off like a letter to a long lost visitor and “Left Your Body” offers plenty of tender strides that come off with elegance.

But with that said, it’s the way the members work together, bouncing tones off of one another where the magic lies. The organic opening mixed with double vocals on “Myths Made Plain” gives listeners more of the band’s core attraction. When duets work best is when vocalists work together to create something new, like they do here. The twee moments in how “I Wrote It Down For You” exemplify the group’s stronger points as a unit and “Wheel Well” reminds us that these guys can still give us chills, even three records in.

III is available to stream on all platforms, it can be purchased in all digital music stores or directly from Loma Vista Recordings. Bad Books will be on tour beginning tomorrow in Chicago, IL at Metro until August 23 at Historic Scoot Inn in Austin, TX. A complete list of their upcoming performances can be found here. 

Image Credits: Photo by Brian Manley.