ALBUM REVIEW: “Loma Vista” by Family of the Year

July 09. 2012 | By Bryan Wallace

Family of the Year
Loma Vista
[Nettwerk Music Group]

There’s not really a reason to push forward with advances in modern medicine. In recent news, Los Angeles Americana-pop band Family of the Year made a universal medication for all things negative called Loma Vista.

The commencement of this sprightly summertime slinger is “The Stairs.” There’s a vibe that could be related to the Polyphonic Spree, but not only does it rock harder, it pops harder. The gang vocals relay the message “Woke up with raccoon eyes and crackled face paint, from a night of campfires and MDMA. The sun comes over the hill in Joshua Tree. Let’s grab a bottle of wine, some of Jamsey’s weed if it’s okay.”

The instrumentation on Loma Vista sets them apart from bands that hone similar styles — like Mates of State and Good Old War. Joseph Keefe carries the gang with his lead vocals and guitar, brother Sebastian soothes the listener’s ear with steady drum rhythms (including a simply splendid tambourine), Christina Schroeter tickles the old 88, and Jamsey Buckey plucks a fine number on his guitar as well. The outstanding tracks include “Buried,” “Diversity,” and “Living on Love.” There is one downside to the 11-track album, and it’s “St. Croix,” one of the songs carried over from the EP, which is where it should have stayed. Its chorus of “You bring the ocean, I’ll bring emotion. Together we’ll make a love potion,” is way too awkwardly suggestive and quirky to be on the same album as the other ten.

Considering a ratio of ten stellar tracks to one dismal track, it’s safe to say Loma Vista is a must-listen for the rest of Summer 2012.

  • The Owl Mag | The Best Indie Music News, Album Reviews, and Free MP3s