The Pneurotics -- Second Skin --a review from Daily Tarheel 4 out of 5 stars A mathematician, his wife and a drummer — sure, it might not be the typical equation for a great rock band, but Chapel Hill’s The Pneurotics prove that despite their oddity, they’re not sacrificing any energy or intensity on their second album, Second Skin. To hear guitarist Rich McLaughlin shred, it’s obvious that The Pneurotics aren’t trying to cater to the soft, contemplative sound that’s trendy in alternative music. The band’s openly bass- and guitar-heavy music falls somewhere between Wilco and early ’90s grunge, steadily building from the first few moments of each track until the song reaches its peak. Opener “Just” explodes with a steady drumbeat, and a cowbell epitomizes this style. With the addition of wailing background vocals and Rich’s cry of “What more can I do,” the song thrashes on with force. While the trio produces a slew of songs with vitality and power, “Indian Tune” reveals the band’s deftness at shifts in mood and tempo. The ebb and flow of McLaughlin’s guitar, which eventually leads to a raucous break, never grows stale. Unlike solos that eventually induce yawns with the slow-moving majesty of a space shuttle takeoff, the line imbues the music with vivacious power. Whatever comprises The Pneurotics, Second Skin leaves little doubt as to whether they can rock. With ferocity and skillful instrumentation, the band’s latest album renders its members’ various identities insignificant, forcing the listener to focus on the music they can make. -Linnie Greene, Daily Tarheel, Diversions BIO: The Pneurotics are a guitar-driven trio who formed in Chapel Hill, NC in late 2006 with songwriter Rich McLaughlin fronting with guitar and lead vocals, wife Mimi on bass, and friend Gabe Mixon on drums. The Pneurotics’ music walks the line between straight up exuberant heart pounding rock, and twangy, melancholy alt-country with a balance of bouncy power pop. Between full time careers and attending athletic events of their three children, they somehow found time to release their first full length album Forty in May of 2008. In The Pneurotics’ first two years, they have played over 80 local and regional shows. Recorded, mixed, and produced at Sound Pure Studios in Durham, Second Skin showcases The Pneurotics’ captivating guitar style while capitalizing on Rich’s road-worn vocals, gutteral guitar solos, hook laden melodies, and Mimi’s warm harmonies. Second Skin’s full and rounded songs are toned richly by a six string electric American Telecaster and Gibson Les Paul guitar that is both melodic and idiosyncratic yet raucous and up front. A strong bass rudder provided by Mimi powers through the mix along side rhythmic, creative, chattery drums and a plethora of complimenting organ, flute, piano, harmonica and horn instrumentation. Their lyrics are soulful and grounded, intensely personal yet universal, and they examine life, love, loss, and the keep on keepin’ on.