What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger; if that means changing a few things up and taking some risks, then so be it. For What Made Milwaukee Famous' upcoming sophomore album, What Doesn't Kill Us, the Austin, Texas-based outfit entered the studio with producer and Sparklehorse guitarist Chris Michaels. New tune "Resistance St." -- reflecting darker layers and doleful vocals -- shows that a little subtlety goes a long way.

Surrounded by shifting, muted post-punk guitar chords and minor-key keyboard twinkling, vocalist/guitarist Michael Kingcald croons through lo-fi sheen, "Hey, weren't you told / How brutal life can be?" before the rest of the band rips into a soaring, guitar-and-saxophone-laden build up. The sense of dread and crashing noise certainly is a change for WMMF, especially when considering the upbeat indie-pop template established on their debut, Trying To Never Catch Up. Then again, if the title to their forthcoming LP is any indication, the boys in What Made Milwaukee Famous aim not only to survive the brutality of life, but come out stronger than ever. What Doesn't Kill Us drops March 4 via Barsuk. 

Now Hear This:
What Made Milwaukee Famous - "Resistance St." DOWNLOAD MP3

On the Web:
What Made Milwaukee Famous at MySpace
whatmademilwaukeefamous.com

Talk: Will you take a walk down "Resistance St.?"