I have to say, I really wanted to dislike this record. Nothing personal against Crank! or the band, but the poppy opening of the first song, mixed with the Sunny Day influenced vocals made me instantly want to turn it off. But, being the professional I am, I gave it a listen or two, and I am glad I did, because this record is absolutely one of the best of the year thus far.

Poppy rhythms do abound, as do vocals that could be compared to SDRE or even Smashing Pumpkins at points (a band I have never liked), but goddamn if this isn't a catchy and innovative album. I found myself humming and eventually singing along with several of the tracks. It brought about many feelings of both nostalgia and warmth; the fun, keyboard based second track (the ironically named "Piano") is immediately endearing, littered with neat circusy back rhythms and perfectly harmonized vocals, as is "Slow Down", which has a great Cure-like riff and almost touching vocals, ala SDRE's Diary. It is derivitive, perhaps, but derived from so many different sources, and with a touch of its own unique style that it creates almost a post-modern originality that I just fell in love with.

Overall, aside from track 1's opening riff, there is very little I don't like about this album. I highly recommend this album, and am excited to see what these guys do next.

-Todd Berry