Record Label: Evangeline Records
Genre: Indie
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com

Indie band The Kim Philbys start off their album with a lengthy tune that incorporates a lush drone, dragged-out shuffling drums, and geeky vocals that dorkily recite the singer’s fears. I cringed.

But the next tune, the compact “Last Song of the Year,” is straight-up indie-pop with bright hooks and hand clapping rhythm. Fun stuff!

But then they go back to seriousness with another lengthy, slow one. This time with twang.

And so the album goes – a mix of downtempo and midtempo, depressing mood and bright hooks. Obviously, I prefer the more upbeat tracks. Not so much because I dislike slow indie, but because the geeky vocals work much better in a pop format than in a Shins-like structure.

And their upbeat tunes are very good – “Painting Song” is like one 3-minute indie-pop crescendo. I just wish there were more songs like that on this album.

Bottom Line:
Notable Tracks: Last Song of the Year, Painting Song, Carry Me Home
Overall Rating: