Icy Demons

In a city overrun with magnetic bandleaders, it’s easy to overlook Icy Demons frontman Griffin Rodriguez (a.k.a. Blue Hawaii or Tombstone G), but not advisable. He’s one of the Chicago scene’s most important fixtures, making his name in Elephant 6 ensemble Bablicon and numerous other local projects (e.g., Him, oRSo) in addition to producing countless albums at the South Loop studio the Shape Shoppe. Following a stint playing bass in Philadelphia’s freak-friendly Need New Body, Rodriguez and NNB drummer Chris Powell (better known as “Pow Pow” in Philadelphia indie darling Man Man) assembled a rotating cast of supporting players for Icy Demons’ impressive 2004 debut, Fight Back! Their 2006 follow-up, Tears of a Clone, was an unheralded triumph, spotlighting a leaner approach as well as Rodriguez’s increased lyrical confidence, his vocals gluing the band’s complex-yet-taut arrangements.

Miami Ice (released on Rodriguez and Powell’s new Obey Your Brain label) finds Rodriguez, Powell and co. refining their signature rhythmic interplay, while continuing to incorporate eclectic instrumentation such as cello and vibraphone. The album begins with the driving “Buffalo Bill,” which bops like the theme song to a deranged action series, full of synth hysterics and busy hand drumming. The title track offers Rodriguez’s most straightforward stab at pop.

As on previous efforts, each song jumps from one genre to the next, from the feel-good vibes of “Summer Samba” to Rodriguez’s booty-shaking ode to his favorite fast-foodery, “Crittin’ Down to Baba’s.” Rodriguez and Powell are effectively the Crockett and Tubbs of the hour, deftly guiding us through their latest episode, though the album is far more ambitious than prime time typically permits.

Icy Demons play the Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park Saturday 19.