Review Summary: Run, rabbit, run
It’s been five years since the release of Minnesota band ahem’s debut LP, but apparently the follow-up was worth the wait. With sophomore LP
Avoider, the group has managed to level up and refine their signature sound - short and energetic songs echoing The Replacements’ later-era power pop filtered through subsequent waves of emo and pop-punk. The “full-length” description shouldn’t be taken too literally, as the album’s ten tracks breezily sail by in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it twenty-five minute runtime. If you’re anything like me, though, your toes will be reliably tapping along throughout that brief listening window, enraptured by the tight playing, nostalgic melodies, and positive vibes. There’s a nice sense of balance between the heavier bangers, like opener “Lapdog” or the crunching guitar of “Old Hell”, and the more mellow jangly tunes like “Leap Year” (quite an earworm”) or “Sunroof” (just as summery as its title). Closer “Pinwheel” seems to disclose the band’s mission to us - “
a simple song to sing, let it go, let it stay” - these tracks aren’t flashy, but they do their job in an understated manner to create a summer jam par excellence. If you learn nothing else from visiting Sputnikmusic.com, remember this tidbit - listening to music can be quite fun. Jamming
Avoider sure is. Don’t avoid it.
