Yarmouth lost its ferry, but holds onto the will to rock. Named oddly for a theory of political options, the title tune navigates some tricky tempo changes beneath a chorus of “the body of Christ won’t save your soul.” It is catchy enough to dissuade the religious chant (or is it denial?) from slowing your tapping foot. A camping trip and late night confessions drive “Campfires” along with a thundering keyboard-guitar tradeoff. The four songs run less than 14 robust minutes, none of it wasted. The sense is that resources, not ideas, kept Rain Over St. Ambrose from going longer. —
This article appears in May 3-9, 2012.