ith a name like Soccer Team, a band invites certain connotations. You’d think, for instance, that they’re part of a collective, or they stage performances that are fiercely competitive. Maybe the music that they make is skilled and graceful. Part of the joke behind the Washington D.C. duo of Ryan Nelson and Melissa Quinley is that they pretty much have nothing to do with any of these things.

Instead, the group’s core elements seem to be droning male and female vocals, lo-fi instrumentation, and an eclectic and gritty rock sound. But, then again, much like soccer theirs is a music that takes time to sink in and be enjoyed: it’s the second and third listens of “Volunteered” Civility & Professionalism are greeted with more appreciation for their energy, meticulous production, chord and harmony arrangements, and subtle but loud songwriting.

Nelson writes and performs most of those songs—with spotty contributions coming from Quinley, who mostly sings and three other minor instrumental add-ons (piano/keyboard, handclaps, and violin). Nelson, who also plays with Dischord group the Routineers and used to be in Most Secret Method and Beauty Pill, is like a Swiss Army knife: He can sing on pitch and in harmony, and plays a multitude of instruments: great dirty rhythm and hook-y guitar (he doesn’t try to over-impress with “lead” solos), bass, succinct drum parts, and keyboard. Hell, he even recorded the album (on 4- and 8-tracks) and created the artwork for it, too.

Nelson’s multiple talents are on full display on the album’s first two tracks “So You Like It Vague, Huh?” and “Solid Ring Fighters”: they’re dark forests full of vocal echoes, delicate harmonies, drippingly distorted guitars, and powerful drums. “We Closed a Record Store” is a Failure-esque tune, complete with aggressive acoustic guitar and heavy drums, tape effects, and Quinley’s unimpressive vocals. “Look At You!” is a funky, left-field, piano jam. Later on “Johnny Hart’s BC” is the second coming of Polvo.

Soccer Team’s debut isn’t going to flip the lids of most listeners with dynamic originality or exceptional technique. “Volunteered” Civility & Professionalism is a focused rock album that burns slow but still manages to leave some signature char marks.