3 out of 5

Label: Columbia

Producer: Dave Trumfio

Following on the Killers / Bravery 80s vibe, Elkland manages to not be annoying (and at times really catchy) by actually acting like a legit band and not just hook-centric poppers with enough throwback elements to seem coolly retro.  (So maybe I don’t like Killers and Bravery.)  Still, the original sentiments that come from the new wave pop with cheeky video game synth noises on the first couple tracks – ‘Put Your Hand Over Mine’ and ‘Apart’ – does start to wear thin as the album goes on, and when the lyrics lean toward a bit too serious and the pop strips away for the sad songs, it becomes forgettable.  But sprinkled throughout ‘Golden’ are impressive touches to song structure and lyrics as well as some appreciated restraint from vocalist / songwriter Jon Pierce, who keeps his 80s croon in check such that the mostly “I love her I hope she loves me” song fare comes across as effectively and legitimately as any other favorite song from the 80s.  Trumfio’s production is of its typical cleanliness and sharpness, but its always nice to hear it applied to less guitar-centric bands as it brings some warmth to the electronics.

To my ear there’s not as easily hummable a single as the ones delivered by those retro rock big-hitters I mentioned, but if you dug the groups that littered the edges of that scene from the mid 00’s, Elkland should do nicely in your collection, even notable enough that you’ll remember choruses and melodies and be able to tell your friends to check it out.  They won’t, because we’re all jerks nowadays, but whatever.