Army Navy

There isn't a whole lot on what exactly Justin Kennedy did in the ten-year interim between his former band Pinwheel (with Death Cab for Cutie front-man Ben Gibbard) and his new outfit Army Navy other than there was a move to Los Angeles. However, judging from the first full-length from the L.A. based foursome, that move seemed to have worked out well. As it turns the debut self-titled record quietly released on The Fever Zone, is a early 2009 gem of well-constructed catchy pop songs that avoids overproduction and from becoming overbearingly cliché. While nothing on their debut is necessarily new to the ears, Army Navy has rehashed well-knit, catchy rock n roll that is surprisingly refreshing.

"Unresponsive Ears" and "Golden Pony" are two mid-tempo tracks that gradually work into fist pumping power pop ballads of unrequited love. Yet, despite their undeniable catchiness, there is an underlying sincere melancholy mood to such songs that quietly underlines them while never demanding too much attention. It's in these easy, guitar-driven melodies that Army Navy proves to be most effective. However, that is not to say that nervy pop tracks like "Snakes in Hawaii"—with sing along "oooohs" -- or opening track "Dark as Days" are not as undeniably fun and will likely inspire you to roll down the window and break speed limits with the radio volume knob all the way up. What ultimately makes Army Navy's blend of power pop so good is that they never try to do too much. With the radio shoving perfect-pitch, programmed pop music down our ears, it's a pleasure to hear catchy music that is raw and ready to go as is.

Admittedly, these guys are products of the 90's. If you grew up listening to indie rock bands of the early 2k's I warn you: this might make you think of high-school. Nevertheless, even at points where it seems Kennedy is about the let his feelings ruin the pop, he returns with such easy, unaffected lyrics as "Maybe there's no snakes in Hawaii/ Maybe that’s where you belong". Fun, easy, and impersonal-- pop at it's best.

Army Navy ultimately succeeds in pulling from the past and actually not attempting to update it. They wear their influences on their sleeves but mesh them well enough to create and maintain a sound that is mostly their own. Pop music can't really be re-invented but only tinkered with anyways. Army Navy kicks it around pretty good.

Snakes of Hawaii - Army Navy