With a title like "Songs About Girls...and Other Mysteries," the anticipated sophomore album from pop rock foursome The Vestals, one might anticipate miserable brooding and whine-tinged ballads. The brothers Gordan, guitar/vocalists Jeremy and Ben, bassist Mark Weigel, and drummer Nick Pichet don't even consider that beaten path. There seems, however, to be a divide in what can be tackled on the high and low roads. In fact, though melded with their unmistakable sound, "Songs About Girls...and Other
Mysteries," almost seems to be two records in one: songs about girls, and songs about other mysteries, the latter being a lot easier to deal with.
Tracks "Before I Run" and "Pretend I'm a Singer" contemplate the wonders of the world with buoyant, tweaking guitar, sweeping vocal harmonies, and exuberant pop-rock melodies. "Motorcycles and Butterflies" almost conjures a piano bar singalong with Ben Folds, and the swinging "Drag to Be You" threatens to bring down the house with big drums and a squealing guitar solo.
The "low" road of the disc, the songs about girls, are subtly slipped in every few tracks, adding a bluesy, bittersweet vibe of pretty electric guitar solos and lilting vocals. Some of the lyrics push the envelope on cheesiness, as crooned in "The Average Girls:" "The prettiest girls can never keep friends because everyone falls in love with them." But the overall effect is so crisp and bright, even the pining feels like a breath of fresh air.
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