The first best summer album has arrived
The first best summer pop album has finally arrived in the form of Alligators. Don’t be scared! These gators won’t bite. Their music is, instead, warm and shimmering and full of harmonies.
I know it’s lazy to do band comparisons, but it’s Thursday morning and I’m busy counting down the hours till the Office and 30 Rock come on tonight for their season finales. Anyway, the band officially describes itself as a cross between Radiohead, the Zombies and the Beach boys. I heard specks of The Rosebuds and Asobi Seksu, too, but with a little more pop shine to it.
Synths and guitars interplay around tight pulses from the drums and bass. Instead of becoming just another background noise competing for attention, though, the lead singer’s falsetto becomes another complex layer, rising higher and higher in harmony to the other vocals until the music breaks in an epic wave. And never does this combination lull you to sleep; the music’s always upbeat and driving, soothing and compelling.
With the music and the name, it’s easy to picture yourself on a South Florida beach with a whiskey on the rocks in hand, soaking up the sun in preparation for a long night of libations.
Four of the first five tracks are definite standouts. And, well, track six and 10 and seven and nine are too. Really, the whole thing’s great. Fantastic, really.
Here’s a little rundown on the band:
Hailing from Kitsap County, Washington, Alligators’ debut national record was recorded at Jason McGerr’s Two Sticks Audio in Seattle and from the comfort of their own home. You may recognize McGerr’s name (he’s in Death Cab for Cutie). Anyway, the five members have all been a part of some of the Northwest’s most accomplished local bands, like Rocketstar Recordings, Time to Fly and Arper.