I'm sure that somewhere out there some people have been eagerly anticipating the next release from the lo-fi independent band known as Stü Art. These people, who surely must exist...somewhere...with only the slightest hint of mental instability, will no doubt be pleased by the band's latest release, entitled Chôpek Rink. The genius of the album is in its short, concise length. Nowhere is this characteristic felt more than on what is easily the best track on the album, "Australia". The band's message is made crystal clear on this particular recording, with little room for interpretation. Some may feel that what makes a song good is its ability to be interpreted in many different ways, and therefore allow a wide audience to relate. Howev...

Chôpek Rink is the first new release from the band since the summer of 2000, and contains all new material. Both band members seem to have settled into primary roles on this album: j. nickras as lead vocals and guitar and m. nickras on keyboards. Together they produced a series of songs with a much more mellow feel than a fan may be used to. The song "I Missed (ver 2)" is an excellent example of this, with some of j. nickras' better lead vocals combined with electric piano accompaniment. The almost musicbox-like sound to the electric piano helps give the song a lighter feel than expected. Two of the best songs on the album are "Fall in Rome" and "in Akron, Alone." The first song is a j. nickras solo effort, recorded on his own without t...