The Langaleers - The Langaleers

The Langaleers

The Langaleers
self-released; 2014

3.8 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton

The Langaleers is an alternative outfit that likes to keep things original as if the possessively unconventional way they spell their name wasn’t enough of a sign. You’ve probably heard garage rock before, but this is a different kind altogether. Don’t be picturing The Vines or The Strokes. This is more like The Beatles with distortion and an almost punk ideal. The songs have a bopping lilt to them and the content is never abrasive or short on hook. These are dance songs set to the key of a dirty basement party. At times loud, at times really loud, but always easy on the ears. 

From the first notes of “Gone” I couldn’t help but hear the sounds of a lost era, but transcended through modern guitar work. It was like a ride from British invasion to tame psychedelic, hitting stride with something out of The Doors meets Jet. Likely the strongest track of the album – might as well start things off on the right foot. After that their brand of sound gets a little washed out with similar themes, tones and backbeats. 

There are a couple of deviations, but it doesn’t necessarily move things in the right direction so much so as just a new one. “What I Should Be” opens with cutting guitar strokes right alongside choking cymbals and all the energy that comes with stop time musicality. Having said that, I can’t understand the lyrics for the life of me. A few words here and there and then it’s a wash. I had to laugh because it almost sounded Japanese initially. A banging track nevertheless and hits hard just when you need it to.

“They Don’t Bother Me” brings out the best of this band in similar fashion to “Gone.” The hi-hat and bass drum breakdown is perfect. The bass line walks with a sexy strut before going quiet. And then the chorus rages back like the return of a boxer pretending to be dazed. “Forget” and “Your Arms” take the tempo down and explores more bluesy and jazzy material. The band really stretches out on the closer, giving a lot of arch to the song, building in volume and instrumentation. It’s a little more filler than killer, but the notion is admirable and it’s well executed. The Langaleers are big on the hits and short on the misses so spend that $5 and get a taste my friends.

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