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Summer Hours

Alone Together

Written by: TL on 04/01/2011 16:29:23

Summer Hours is what Pavement would sound like if Stephen Malkmus had the voice of Zooey Deschanel. That's the foremost conclusion I arrive at after having listened to the Brooklyn quartet's first proper LP "Alone Together", recently released via the trusty Deep Elm records.

And by saying that, I've effectively ruined my own chances of filling out the rest of this review with descriptions of what the band sounds like. The instrumentals on this album sound as much like Pavement as any band I've heard - and that's a good thing because Pavement are excellent - and singer/bassist Rachel Dannefer sounds to me like a slightly less delicate Zooey Deschanel. At least that's what I think, but I'm told by my indie-loving girlfriend that comparisons to the departed all-girl band Plumtree are actually more accurate.

Regardless of who's right, what's not to be argued over is that Summer Hours have produced in "Alone Together" a record that is as lazy and enjoyable as a rare afternoon off, during which you just kick back and chill. The buzzing, low-fi guitars are treats upon the ears, and Dannefer's lyrics, all personal yet seemingly casual and honest, make for the kind of uncomplicated experience that you'll feel compelled to subject yourself to on many future occasions.

Measure up to bands like Pavement however, that's a hard task, and while Summer Hours have some promising songs going in for instance "Alone, Alone, Alone Together", "Fighting Type" and "Old Boyfriend", you still get the feeling that there's potential left to be realized. Personally, I think one step towards doing so, could be taken by loosening up just a little bit, making a tiny bit more noise and getting a little bit more dynamic, but that could just be me. For now though, let's stop worrying about that and just recognize a thoroughly enjoyable record for what it is:

Download: Alone, Alone, Alone Together; Fighting Type; Old Boyfriend
For The Fans Of: Pavement, Plumtree, Sky Larkin, Where The Land Meets The Sea
Listen: Summer Hours @ deepelmdigital.com

Release Date 30.11.2010
Deep Elm Records