For their first studio album, the Make-Up brought in producer Calvin Johnson, one of the leaders of the International Pop Underground the Make-Up is identified with. Johnson keeps the sound raw and ragged, which suits the band’s kinetic, half-ironic, and totally sincere blend of indie-rock and the Stones. Songwriting isn’t one of the Make Up’s specialties — very few of the individual songs stand out — yet their overall sound is frighteningly energetic. The brittle production makes Sound Verite sound as if it would break in two at any moment, especially since the band keeps pushing themselves forward at a blinding speed. On the whole, the record isn’t as a complete an experience as Destination: Live at Cold Rice, but it comes damn close to reaching those peaks. – Stephen Thomas Erlewine