Denver, Colorado’s Mainland Break – Evan Oliver (vocals, acoustic guitar, keys), Kevin Kohl (vocals, bass), Travis Rice (guitar, synthesizer), Ian Gassman (guitar) and Steven Hennig (drums) – play jangling indie rock (or rocking jangle pop), which they do in a pretty exciting way. After their debut EP Short Stay (May 2019), they now return with their first full-length album. As its title suggests, the One Way Ticket to Midnight LP takes us “through a lonely, reflective night that recalls distant friendships, lost love, and missed opportunity” – from sundown to sunrise. The idea is good, the execution even better. The lyrics are appealing (“I’m out tonight // To bark at the moon // My hair swept back // By a Dio tune” – from the title track), but it’s the way they are declaimed – polyphonic and infectious – that makes them come alive. However, it’s the tight guitars and thumping beats – energetic and inspired – that really make this record a glorious experience.
One Way Ticket to Midnight, produced by Mark Anderson, is out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP (self-released). RIYL: Rolling Blackouts C.F., Ducks Ltd., R.E.M., Kiwi Jr.
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