Usually it’s quite easy to spot the country from which a band come from, simply by listening to their music. With their jagged guitars, youthful vocals and general air of positivity, Isabel At Sunset sound like they come from a modish indie American scene yet they’re actually based in Parma, Italy. The Pavement influence is most apparent thanks to the often awkward but melodic time signatures - drummer Kevin Coley (the only non-Italian in the band) actually plays in a Pavement covers band as well.
Some songs seem to value youthful viguor over songwriting but ‘The Coming Back Guy’ is undeniably infectious as is the buzzsawing pop of the title track. Meanwhile ‘Trucks ‘N’ Cars’ and ‘Just Me In The Mirror’ blend subtle instruments with vocalist Alain Marenghi cast as the yearning frontman for the first time. A little disarmingly, however, ‘Barbarians Within The Gate’ reveal Oasis-style ambitions of laddish pop. That apart, this is a promising debut from a band who will undoubtedly improve as they mature. For now though, they sound like a young band witha bagful of influences but not quite making their own individual mark.
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