Amid the deluge of relentless British bands that surge both sides of the Atlantic (yes, both in Britain and the land across the pond), New York has its own answer. Strangely, it's tinged with Afro-pop. This self-titled debut by a New York quartet blends ska, African beats, pop-rock with an indie wave lushness is something that is worth the listen. It's fresh, highly likeable tunes is a kind of music that grows on you, and stirs up musical imagery of a perfect road-trip, perhaps a Safari adventure, or maybe an afternoon in a yatch.

But why do four white boys make music with Afro beats? Their answer lies within their songs, which all possess cleverly-written lyrics and intelligent melodies. "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa" is perhaps the heavily-African tinges tune in the whole album, yet nevertheless a serene, experimental achievement. In fact, they don't sing about Africa, they sing of a hopeless college love emotion in "Campus", and about rain and raincoats in the foot-tapping "A-Punk", bashes grammar elitist-perfectionists in the brilliant "Oxford Comma", and even sings about heartfelt imperfection with the album's most sincere song "I Stand Corrected". These are only a few of the many superb arrangements in the album. And even when one thinks Ezra Koenig's vocals can break, his voice tosses and turns, falsettos and hums, in acrobatic-like boyishness that makes his music nostalgic and a perfect harmony for a feel-good afternoon.

So now, "Who gives a fuck about Oxford comma?"


VERDICT:


A hugely rewarding album for musically open-minded people. An almost-perfect collection of melodies with variation that is as enjoyable as it is promising.


Best Tracks: Oxford Comma, I Stand Corrected, A-Punk, Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa


Rating: A-