This is the third record put out by Youngstown rockers Asleep and this one was recorded and mixed by Steve Albini — yeah, that Steve Albini who has worked with Nirvana, the Pixies, and Iggy Pop and the Stooges. If that testament to Asleep’s ability to craft some serious jams isn’t enough of an enticement to check “Unpleasant Companion” out, it’s hard to say what else is. The group’s high-energy indie rock is well represented on their latest record, which captured the band’s raw live sound on two-inch analog tape, giving the listener a taste of their live sets. Unlike other records that have garnered similar praise, Asleep’s latest separates itself in its ability to remain sincere, not catering to trends or flash in the pan chicanery. The stand-out song on this eight-track gem is by far “Delirium Tremens,” which also helps explain the album art consisting of nothing more than a illustrated pink elephant. As a bonus, the copy Buzzbin received was pressed on pink vinyl, which doesn’t really mean much except it looks cool as hell.