Manhattan garage-pop

Four NYC bartenders walk out of a job and start a band. I forget how the joke ends, but it definitely isn‰’t SKATERS. With all the classic elements of your standard rock band contrasting mellow vocal melodies, Manhattan sounds like a modern tourist‰’s trip to Times Square- still stemming from the heavy grit of the 70s, but much more appealing for family photos. The guitar riffs hold strong throughout the album, flaring out from the relaxed bass and steady drum, helping support the punchy style of the vocalist. The punk(ish) foundations seem to be the solid strength of the bass and the tasteful skill of the drum fills, both adding just a bit of weight to the otherwise bright and upbeat tunes. The lyrics are inherently catchy and easy to pick up on, built from each member‰’s experience working at a bar. Overall, the raw energy of Manhattan was cleverly diluted into an album so aptly named for a quality debut.

RIYL: Arctic Monkeys, Bad Suns, The Drowners
Recommended: 2, 4, 5