The Retribution Gospel Choir

A name like the Retribution Gospel Choir leads to expectations of a black-robed, maybe even face-painted, choral group — something like the Polyphonic Spree gone over to the dark side, where every member is a soprano. In reality, though, this band’s key players, Mark Kozelek of Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon and Alan Sparhawk of Low (pictured), shove the brand-new group’s imagined sound into the sleepy end — somnolent and subwoofer deep. But side projects are not always what they seem. With Kozolek’s affection for AC/DC and Low’s forays into classic noise (the Misfits), the RGC appears to lean toward rock-radio grooves and extended guitar solos; the press release even mentions Steve Vai. But like all those great musical peanut butter-chocolate combos before them, the Retribution Gospel Choir will let us all know what to expect … just as soon as it gets here .