Issue 509

Admiral Radley I Heart California Other Tongues The playful and breezy collective of Admiral Radley have created a layered attempt at paying homage to their home state, taking the concept of a sea dog and his coastal adventures. 'I Heart California' is almost archetypal Cali rock pop, saved by electronic twists and fills that don't shed the mellow slices of bittersweet nostalgia and melancholia that Grandaddy legends Jason Lytle and Aaron Burtch bring to the table of shiny optimists Aaron Espinoza and Ariana Murray of indie stalwarts Earlimart. The method and execution sometimes is a little self consciously upbeat and twee (from a Granddaddy fan's perspective. RIP you cheerful sadsacks) in being something of an innocent kickback to the simple joys of pop. It is a sonic testament to their songwriting chops that on the whole they mange to pull it off without inducing a diabetic coma. This is evident on manifesto I Heart California with its jumping piano, loops, organ fills and group sing along and the hazy Ghosts of Syllables. Luckily the rest of the album, in particular Red Curbs and Lonesome Co. push the whimsy up and down until the slightly bittersweet and funny second half of the album, ushered in by I'm All Fucked On Beer. The layered electro country of GNDN and noodling I Left U Cuz I Luft U suggest that everyone got a say in the song writing process. The influence of touring buddies Earlimart (whose catalogue is entirely new to me) has influenced the tempo and sprightliness of the arrangements (there's no joyfully down tempo dirges here) but scratch further into the lyrics and the melodies to see the Granddaddy touch. It is not an album that struck me down on first listen or will crawl under my skin for a long time to come but really, that doesn't matter because 'I Heart California' never pretends to be anything more than a whimsical, sweet nugget of a side project. It's clever, has great melodies and interestingly layered production so it's effective as a lazy hammock in summer can be. Lay back, listen to the waves to the slap of thongs and tune out in sunny bliss. Lauren Boxhall