Two Thirty Eight is one of indie rock's most shining, veiled achievements. With their amazing start on Takehold Records, they re-released their gem Regulate The Chemicals to Tooth and Nail. Now, with You Should Be Living, the band has officially begun their "household" rise to fame.

"Modern Day Prayer" begins as a rebellious anthem but takes an odd appealing twist into space while "The Sticks Are Woven In The Spokes" could be a filler if not for it's ambient and impressive lyrics. "Forty Hour Increments" at least begins well at times sounding of The Clash whereas "Romancing The Ghost" is a nice slow-moving ballad from start to finish. "The Holy Glow" adds one truly great head-bobbing hit where "Step Into The Light" is a good twangy acoustic track. "Sad September" is a perfectly crafted rock tune reminiscent of the Nada Surf hit, "Popular," even with spoken words and high school elucidation to boot as "I Pretend To Choke" and "Rhythm And Blues" are fine and leisure like leading into pop and rock respectively. "The Bathroom Is A Creepy Place" follows, and adds one quirky amazing acoustic ending.

Two Thirty Eight really has something unique here. Lyrically, things are far superior to most of what's out there; while musically, is also pretty stellar. Fans of the drowning acoustic balladeer will grow to love 238's addition of rock. The only way to benefit the progression of music is to take a little of this and a little of that and hope that it turns out ok. Well, this soufflé came out just fine; like mom used to make! Two Thirty Eight is right, you should be living, and who knows, you might start after this record.

- Review date: 8/15/02, written by Blake Garris