The rapid assimilation of music, due in part to the boundless reaches of the internet, has brought about a kind of DIY renaissance, where the digital savvy comingle with the analog pushers and tape-to-tape junkies. This melting pot of homebrew music has been both a blessing and curse for those of us who value the accessibility of new music. Because while we now have hundreds of thousands of songs at our fingertips, the same sheer volume of music becomes a stumbling block in our path as we try to pick apart what we find. The good, the bad, and the hardly-worth-a-glance bands that once were limited to hometown bars and hole-in-the wall clubs now all have the same venue to hoist their wares. Whether it's Facebook, Myspace(?!?), or Bandcamp, these bands can now put forth as constant a barrage of new music as they care to create and in this steady stream of releases, the listener can often get lost among the rushes.
So it's a pleasant surprise to be see a band which has garnered such a positive critical buzz take the strengths of their less than extensive discography, three songs in fact--and great ones to be sure--and release a major label debut that not only builds on their past indie-pop sound but also breaks them free of any confining musical labels. On their self-titled debut, Cults have successfully integrated their love of Spector influenced pop with their undeniably catchy take on modern indie rock. The results take the well-worn pop ideas of love and youthful (see self-righteous) independence and condensed them into a half hour of some of the most memorable pop songs this year. The album hits its stride immeditaely with opener "Abducted" which likens love to being held hostage, a somewhat naive sentiment maybe but one that still resonates with the listener through the sheer exuberant thrill of the music. Other tracks such as "You Know What I Mean" and "Oh my God" reinforce the feeling of youthful revery coursing through this album while at the same time placing a weight and heft that hints at the further emotional depth that Cults seem to be inclined to mine. Despite the quick ascension and quicker major label signing, Cults have never compromised on their sound, even if that sound was never particularly intellectual, though still emotionally connective. As the debuts slowly fades away after closer "Rave On", and the heady rush of pop polish has gone, Cults slowly walk away from the stage, allowing us to keep step if we want. Maybe we can have a cup of coffee together. After all, they're nothing if not inviting.
Tracklisting:
01. Abducted (listen to the mp3 below)
02. Go Outside
03. You Know What I Mean
04. Most Wanted
05. Walk at Night
06. Never Heal Myself
07. Oh My God
08. Never Saw the Point
09. Bad Things
10. Bumper
11. Rave On
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