Originally published in Verbicide issue #6

When the opening track started spinning from this album, it seemed as if The Velvet Underground wer alive and well again. By track two, it was apparent that The Walkmen have succeeded in maturing the style introduced to us by Lou Reed and the crew at Warhol’s factory.

Taking cues from the contemporary experimentalists such as Sonic Youth and the ethereal technological meanderings of Stereolab, this band develops a truly New York sound that approaches literary in its implications. Leader singer Leithauser does a remarkable Bono impression in style and tone while managing to avoid ripping off the U2 front man. These combinations of the tried and true musical approaches with the best in artistic expressions makes a sound that is sweet and moving, while skipping melodrama.

The best track by far is “The Blizzard of ’96,” featuring gritty guitars; garage fun, but so tight. Like a sunny day on the beach, this album is fun, refreshing, gorgeous in sound, and perfect in delivery. A remarkable contribution to the world of modern music.

(StarTime International Record Co.,  285 5th Avenue, PMB #452, Brooklyn, NY 11215)