Artist Identity Crises Inc.

Chicago band Identity Crises Inc. takes its name seriously: It must be the only band in history to cite both John Mayer and Swedish prog-metal band Opeth as influences. Just like a real identity crisis, it's got its compelling freak-outs and its indifferent lows, but its sheer willingness to mix things up is usually an asset. The songs bounce from mannered pop to jazz-informed breakdowns, from dynamic hooks to light jangles. All this genre-juggling can distract from the songwriting as much as it helps, but even some of the band's more indecisive tunes find logical ways to blend disparate sounds.

Updated 11/20/2009