Sic Semper Sabers!

Josh Chicoine, formerly of Chicago's much-celebrated The M's, has released the debut by his new outfit, Sabers.

Sic Semper Sabers builds on the promise of The M's (especially evident on their 2006 and 2008 Polyvinyl releases) while sounding both contemporary and unique.

Lead-off cut "Armchair Warriors" is a Pavement-worthy piece of slacker art rock with tasty guitar and an agreeable shuffle. "Money Eddie" brings on the psych-pop with Chicoine's vocals settling into a sexy, Marc Bolan-like croon. Elsewhere on the album, "Puppet" marries surf and spy guitar to rockabilly drums and "la la la" chorus, while closing track "Big Fish" is, indeed, big, bold and a bit unhinged; a perfect end to a damn fine record.

Sabers, whose live group features members of Head of Femur and the 1900s, will support Clear Plastic Masks at The Empty Bottle this Sunday, April 13.