One Track Mind

[audio:http://www.bantermm.com/tracks/BlondeSummer-Cathode.mp3|artists=Blonde Summer|titles=Cathode Ray]
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It’s taken us a bit too long to get around to writing about Blonde Summer, whose self-released debut EP, Eleganza, was released late last year. Still, talent this good is worth waiting for. The Los Angeles quartet worked with producer Aaron Espinoza (of Earlimart and Admiral Radley) on the recordings at his studio, The Ship, and you can hear echoes of his acts’ music in the EP’s breezier moments.

“Cathode Ray” is the first of the set’s five songs and feels light and punchy despite clocking in at nearly five minutes. Things begin with a steady beat and an arpeggiated guitar riff that alludes to the early rock ‘n’ roll of the 1950s. However, Chris Pope’s vocals–an effortless mix of near whispers and melodic shouts–firmly fix the song to more contemporary times. Combined with the more gruff guitar notes which follow, Pope’s delivery recalls bands such as The Like Young and Nada Surf–acts who overlaid poppy tunes with the quiet/loud dynamic to great effect. Toward the end of the song, the guitars begin firing off springy, bent-string missles before collapsing into a pool of distortion and feedback.

Blonde Summer’s fundamental approach may not take home any prizes for ingenuity but it is one that is a cinch to love. “Cathode Ray” has catchiness to spare and enough grit around the edges to keep things interesting during the repeated listens you’ll want to give it.