I've been loving the singles and been waiting impatiently to tell you about the album and now I can. On first listen, the Massachussetts quartet seem guided for other great female led bands pile that includes the likes of The Beths and Fortitude Valley.
There is certainly similar depth to that pair and songs are just as melodic and Guitar led. Ali Lipman's vocal is sugar sweet, she could sing the phone book, but there is much more to this band. They are the sum of their parts and carry with them a much edgier sound.
The songs are beautifully arranged, offer up surprise diversions. This is Guitar Pop, wonderfully melodic Guitar Pop, but the twin Guitars take the songs into much rockier directions such as Indie Rock, even emo without ever detracting from what the band are good at.
Without those diversions, songs that take surprise directions mid stream, solos that rip, Place Memory would be a Power Pop album, but those heavier interests make the offering more unusual and even more satisfying. The choruses are killer as is the Guitar work, but the whole thing never rests on its laurels.
North Street shows restraint, even hinting at Americana, Dotted Line is even more bare, even a little Cranberries, beautifully sung. Also-Ran even reaches into 90s Rock and I Care Too Much About Everything gets all Big Rock.
But it the Guitar Pop that rings out most, lyrically adept and real foot tapping joy mark this album out as one of the years best. Catchy as catchy can be, but not afraid to blow the doors off. Melodic Joy, wonderfully performed and so well brought to market. Absolutely outstanding!
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