ALL OF THE FIRE EP

Grizzly Bear member Chris Taylor's new signings Acrylics exhibit a very subtle late-1980s/early-90s indie-pop debt that, unlike say, Cut Copy's In Ghost Colours, you might actually mistake for an old record and not just a faithful update. The production hallmarks, especially the swooning slide guitar and prominent chorus pedals, might bring to mind Fleetwood Mac or even 10,000 Maniacs, but without the conscientious, frankly pushy nostalgia many recent revival bands demand. This would be nothing without a great melody, and this jangling piece of tinsel has it with bells on, beginning with a mildly terse vibe akin to, say, R.E.M.'s Welcome to the Occupation and taking some clever detours, ultimately certifying itself in heavenward ooooh-oh-oh territory for the finish. They saved their catchiest bit for the bridge because they can afford to; no hurry because radio won't play it. This is only pop as we used to know it, continued as if the 2000s never happened and executed with care, as if they're still competing with hundreds of groups that sound like this. - Pitchfork