Discover America

Reading a band’s influences before you actually listen to the band can be a fatal mistake. You see some of your favourite bands, perhaps even more than one, and your hopes rise beyond unimaginable heights. Rarely do you actually find a band who in ways mirrors its influences and closely resembles them enough to use them as a comparison. If choosing amazing influences and sounding quite similar to them was a game, Chris Staples surely succeeds in Discover America’s release, Psychology. On the subject of influences, name-dropping the Pixies, Blonde Redhead, Yo La Tengo, and Burning Airlines definitely gives something to stand up to. And Discover America manages to do that and more.

Psychology’s first track, “Call It In The Air,” is a brilliantly chosen track to captivate the listener. Using so many instruments it’s hard to even distinguish them, Staples presents one of the most quirky, mellow yet upbeat albums released within the past two years. "Call It In The Air" is more addicting than a Kelly Clarkson brand of heroin. I know, that doesn't even make sense. However, the song is addicting in nonsensical ways. The album’s second track, “1986," boasts a melody that your brain will not soon be rid of post-listen. With themes ranging from the afterlife to “faking hipness,” Discover America has a lot of advice to offer its listener.

Acoustic guitars, lo-fi beats, and catchy rhythms can all be found throughout this record frequently. “From The 100th Floor” may bring you back to Death Cab For Cutie’s You Can Play These Songs With Chords days, with the solid and cohesive, yet old-fashioned, weathered sound which frequently emerges throughout the album.

There’s not much to be said about Discover America that hasn’t been said of its various influences. The band offers a unique and impressive sound, which has become a rarity as of late. With such a solid, crucial record such as this, this reviewer must stress the importance of discovering this band and the beauty in which Chris Staples produces.