In the liner notes it asks “Who is immune to the charms of airy female vocals and ukulele, with lyrics full of pith (but not vinegar)?” Not me (that’s for sure). Led by the harmonies of Karla Kane, with bassist Khoi Huynh, drummer Charlie Crabtree, and guitarists KC Bowman and Angela Silletto, the indie band’s latest features a who’s who of indie power pop guests (Allen Clapp, Anton Barbeau, Mike Viola). The irresistible melody of “Grasshopper Clock” is full of weaving harmonies sure to please and the “Bells of El Camino” is a little more twee pop, think The Essex Green meets Saint Etienne. This approach follows the next several songs here, and standouts include “Laughing Stars” and the solo ukulele ditty “Twice The Luck” is such quirky fun, you expect it to be the theme song for the next Zooey Deschanel show.
And then it shifts to more catchy themes, all based around San Francisco. The piano led theme to area’s tallest skyscraper “Transamerica Pyramid” is a perfect summer tune with handclaps and Beach Boys styled harmonies. The sunshine-pop melancholy of “8:18” is full of anticipation, and even “Chicken Bingo” has fun with the band’s West Coast image. “They asked us where we came from, we said “San Francisco” –They asked again we said “Outer Space,” and the ending track “The Perfect Weather” is a long love letter to the city by the bay. Fans of The Agony Aunts will also love the composition and tight arrangements. Rarely does such a beautiful pop album arrive, it deserves to make my top ten list this year for sure.
