Tom Lynch

Chicago's sex-rock pranksters are at it again with "The Dirt That Makes You Drown" (Morphius), their second full-length (after the incendiary 2006 record "Decked Out") and most widespread rock album catalogued so far. The foundation of Jack Flash and Gretta Fine has added two members--drummer Nick Kraska and keyboardist Rachel Shindelman, both from New Black--and the matchup creates a full-onslaught attack, more garage than you can handle, more riffs, howls and moves than you can stomach. The songs are more spacious than what the band has written in the past--there's room to breathe, to explore, to find noise in every crevice and valley. "The Dirt That Makes You Drown" kicks off with the biting "What We Need," eventually moves to the ode to bad sci-fi "She Came from Outer Space" and, by the time "All Messed Up" finishes with fury, the hook's through the lip. The musical expansion doesn't take away from the sex appeal, it only enables it, lets it brood. Live, this is practically unbeatable--the intensity and much-needed fun is sweaty, vivid and textured for the night.

Bang! Bang! plays April 14 at Beat Kitchen, 2100 West Belmont, (773)281-4444, at 10:30pm. $10. (2007-04-10)

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