This is the closest thing to a perfect split 7" that I've heard in ages. Both songs are likeable, the bands have distinct sounds and personalities, and the sleeve art is impressive. For all that, the record is a bit uneven -- but for once, it's a matter of one song being good and the other great, rather than mismatched levels of mediocrity.

New Grenada, who apparently also run Plumline Records, contribute the slightly less impressive song. "Oberlin" tells the tale of a relationship that deteriorates over the course of a road trip. It's an interesting song, with vivid lyrics and moody, jangling guitars; the slightly off-key vocals and whiny final sequence head a little too far into emo territory for my turf, but are partly redeemed by the squalling guitars of the very post-punk finish. And is it my imagination, or is the singer suggesting that he pissed himself in the car?

The Trembling's "Shooting Blanks", for my money, easily eclipses "Oberlin". It's a straightforward garage-punk rave-up, informed by the riot grrrl movement but ultimately owing more allegiance to the Sex Pistols. Vocalist Kelli Miller does snide almost as well as Johnny Rotten himself, and the song's utterly infectious shout-along chorus ("There I go again / shooting blanks / An aim at the sky / is a slap in your face") is sneering, classic punk; I hope Miller makes the chorus even bigger when the band plays live.

Hunt this sucker down. It's worth your trouble.