In a world overrun with bands trying to be the next Breeders, Jo Passed stand as one of the most interesting (although there’s more to them than that). If you’re going this route, you need to be world-class in the dynamics department, and the youthful Jo Passed have mastered the soft/hard and quiet/loud dichotomies like seasoned pros. Jo Hirabayashi sings like a blessed androgyne, and the guitar tones are perfectly balanced between sweet and sulfuric. Sub Pop picked another winner. by Dave Segal