Television Man

Olympia, Wash.–based Naomi Punk started off as the solo project of singer/guitarist Travis Coster, but over the years they've solidified into the core of trio of Coster, guitarist Neil Gregerson, and drummer Nic Luempert. The trio have combined the tradition of Pacific Northwest indie rock with British roots in Wire and other skeletal postpunk groups. Despite the raw sound, the trio spend quite a bit of time in the studio making their albums. Television Man was recorded at their home studio in the fall and winter of 2013 before seeing release in the summer of 2014. The 10 songs here are a diverse batch. The title track captures the group's essence, while the keyboard-synth instrumental “Plastic World No. 6” defines their quirky side, with a rudimentary workout that serves as the breather before the lo-fi rocker “Eleven Inches” proudly sports an amateurish approach with guitars and drums that distort nearly equally. One wonders what the outtakes of these sessions sound like.