Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover. Initial inspection of the artwork for the Wolverines and The Sibling Project split CD yields several possible themes:

a) Occasionally, beast-y creatures and humans sorta touch…like in the promotional posters for E.T.
b) You should seriously think about cutting your fingernails. Or not. Whatever is cool with us…
c) There is a potential super group in the making that will undoubtedly be called The Siblirines.

Perhaps the real moral here is that when independent / DIY / punk rock / whatever-you-call-it is done right -- in friendship and with mutual respect -- then juxtaposing a band like Wolverines, in all their raucous, crash-and-clatter glory, with a melodic, indie-pop band like The Sibling Project makes perfect sense.

Music aside, the ties run deep on this split. Both bands reside in Raleigh and each have two members. Victor (guitar, vocals) and Brandon (drums, vocals) are Wolverines. Lindsey (keys, vocals) and Danny (guitar, vocals) are The Sibling Project. Both bands have chosen logical names as Wolverines are ferocious and The Sibling Project are siblings. Brandon has been friends with Danny since the first grade and the two currently live with Lindsey. Victor doesn’t live with anyone band-related, but he knows about everything and he’s totally down. Most importantly though, everyone in this equation loves and supports one another.

Of course, the differences are fairly apparent as well. Press play and Wolverines crash through the gate like a proverbial band on fire. It’s an exercise in controlled chaos: guitar, drums and vocals twisting throughout each song, careening and ricocheting off jazzy rhythms, unpredictable start-stops and dynamic build-ups. Victor and Brandon take a simple, barebones formula and wrap it up in technical proficiency and a truckload of combustible intensity.

In contrast, The Sibling Project probably isn’t snapping guitar strings or splintering sticks, but what the band lacks in Wolverines’ urgency and ferocity it more than makes up for in warmth and immediacy. I’m not sure if Lindsey and Danny have one of those indescribable brother / sister telekinetic connections, but they sure know how to write a damn catchy song. Melodies and harmonies seem to melt as one while the guitar and keyboard bubble over and patter around the margins. Like their hairy brethren, The Sibling Project’s songs are constructed from relatively simple materials but the end product is incredibly rich and intricate.

This Wolverines / The Sibling Project split CD does more than simply bring great bands together; it proves that indie rock doesn’t need to be about fitting into a particular niche. When it’s supported by strong foundations such as community, friendship and respect, it can be a welcoming, all-encompassing place.

Then again, maybe it’s about un-manicured beast-y creatures on the verge of a passionate embrace with androgynous telekinetic humans.