The 88 Kind Of Light EMK Records brought to you by Egg Boy Not the 80’s retro band the name might imply, LA band The 88’s record Kind of Light lives in a tidy spot somewhere between the current NY new-wave rehash movement and the melodic work of the last few Beatles records. Not throwback nor carbon copy, The 88’s debut acts as more of a blender of some of the best rock records from the last 50 years. Take ‘Afterlife,’ which trades out some time-signatures, throws some Brian Wilson / Sgt Pepper harmonies over Hawaiian slides, and ends incorporating Italian restaurant-style guitar. And that’s just one song. Coveted single slot track three, ‘Elbow Blues,’ presents a good version of what The 88 have to offer throughout: sweet melodies, driving rhythmic interplay and unexpectedly fresh arrangements. ‘Take your pill today, under the sun’ sings songwriter Keith Slettedahl, and as much as they might be hiding it, a psychedelic California pop band reveals itself. Title track ‘Kind of Light’ plays out like Radiohead through an Elvis Costello filter, with a dose of techno drum loops thrown in for good measure. If the Flaming Lips polished their signature unique edges a bit, they might sound like the 88. ‘Melting in the Sun’ is giving off some Petty vibes, but an acceptable amount, like radiation from a dentist x-ray. Elsewhere, flourishes abound. That slide guitar is nicotine and gravy, baby. Odds that one of these guys knows Beck and doesn’t like him: 1 in 4. At times it’s hard to tell if The 88 want to be a catchy pop band, orchestrated mod rock teen throb cradle robbers or a spacerock supernaut. Place that bet on all of the above. As all over the place as the song styles appear to be, The 88 have a distinct sound that’s making this NYCer feel all Cali. Hang loose, dudes. Comb that hair and straighten those ties! At least its not 16 degrees in LA! Pros: Warm and breezy Cons: Gimme some grit Useful for: Middle-class east coast dreams of (net) surfing Metric Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? Goldfrapp Black Cherry Fleetwood Mac Say You Will DJ Dara Breakbeat Science Exercise 01 The 88 Kind of Light The Kills Black Rooster EP The Libertines Up the Bracket Jettatura Squadra Fantasma Tone Ambient Metals The Streets Original Pirate Material Grand Buffet Cigarette Beach Roni Size Touching Down Rolling Stones 40 Licks Brendan Benson Lapalco Anticon Music for the Advancement of Hip-Hop copyright © 2000-2005 - www.stellargirl.com