A Gun Called Tension don’t really fit in quite anywhere, and that’s part of what makes them interesting. It’s a hip-hop record made by an indie rocker and an MC, with a bevy of guest stars from across the spectrum, and it’s a fascinating concept.

There’s little bling, with Bay Area rapper Sean Reverson keeping it remarkably simplistic, and former Murder City Devil axe-slinger Dann Gallucci working alongside the likes of Roots Manuva, Blood Brothers member Morgan Henderson, Pretty Girls Make Graves singer Andrea Zollo, and Modest Mouse producer Phil Ek coming up with something that’s a million miles away from the what’s now thought of as the traditional rap and rock conundrum.

“Treason” finds Spencer Moody from Murder City Devils barking out his exhortations, with Andrea Zollo joining Reverson on the fantastic “Electric Chair” immediately after. It’s from “Treason” onwards that A Gun Called Tension really takes flight, with the first three efforts (and one introductory moment) feeling decidedly as awkward beginnings that lead to a much fuller, more complete second half of the record.

“Lyrics” flips off a cool electro backing to a strong hip-hop number, while “Thelonious” pretty much sums up the record – there’s a real tension in the songs found here, with the closing “Document” harking back to the skitterish indie punk sounds of the likes of “Treason” for a pretty interesting closer. A Gun Called Tension haven’t settled into any particular sound on this debut, but here’s hoping this side project is allowed to develop more fully as there’s certainly a bevy of interesting ideas to be further mined.