Massage - Still Life

Of course, this post should have been published several days ago. The subject, Still Life by California quintet Massage, truly is one of the better guitar pop albums I have heard in several years. However, with temperatures in town soaring into three digits, we fled to the coast. The cooler temperatures meant mission accomplished, but internet connectivity was inadequate. So there is my excuse for this post, and for several others that will come shortly.

Still Life is 14 tracks of shimmer and jangle, of bittersweet observations and romantic notions. The touch is uniformly light, and while the songwriters have managed to display incredible diversity, the album maintains a common thread of summery warmth. Depending upon your listening background, you might hear hints of New Zealand and Australian guitar pop, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Cure and many others. And you wouldn't be wrong with any of them. But all it takes is one listen to decide that this isn't a band imitating a list of worthies, it is a band that belongs on that list.

Massage are Alex Naidus, Andrew Romano, Gabi Ferrer, Natalie de Almeida, and David Rager. Still Life is out now, with your preferred source depending on your continent: Bobo Integral in Europe; Mt.St.Mtn. in North America; and Tear Jerk in Australia.

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Bandcamp for Still Life