Following up 2018’s
Proper EP, this Philadelphia foursome (whose moniker was the original name of Ardmore, the Philly suburb where they first rehearsed) sound even more inspired and imposing on this debut LP. Past reviews have accurately noted singer
Matthew Taglang’s uncanny vocal resemblance to R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe; coupled with the iridescent, soaring guitars of
David Perry, uplifting songs like “No Decay,” “Terrible Cure,” and “The Mentalist” recall
Document’s “Finest Worksong” or
Reveal’s “I’ll Take the Rain,” reinforced with a hefty, Oasis/Doves/U2 alterna-rock stomp. Elsewhere, forceful rhythm section
Mark S. Walsh and