Band: Shout Out Louds
Release: 2010
Label: Merge

1. “1999” – B
2. “Fall Hard” – B
3. “Play the Game” – A+
4. “Walls” – A
5. “Candle Burned Out” – B+
6. “Throwing Stones” – A-
7. “Four by Four” – B+
8. “Moon” – A-
9. “Show Me Something New” – B
10. “Too Late, Too Slow” – A-

Comments: Shout Out Louds won me over in 2006 with “The Comeback” a song off their debut LP Howl Howl Gaff Gaff. I was so impressed with that track (which was on the MLB 2006 The Show soundtrack) that I decided to look up more songs from this band. And you know what? I found five other songs off that release that I really really liked. On this record the band ditched Bjorn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John (producer for 2007’s Our Ill Wills) for Phil Elk, a notable producer who has worked with the likes of Built to Spill, Fleet Foxes, and the Shins. “1999” is a little cheesy at first and simplistic and all that average stuff, but it does improve. “Play the Game” is really really awesome and has the kind of flow that really hooked me onto this band. “Walls” has a similar effect. “Candle” is slower than the previous two. They flirt with shoegaze on “Four by Four.” Really epic finish on “Moon.” “Too Late, Too Slow” isn’t really that. It’s a good kind of slow. Perfect timing. This album will grow on me, I’m sure, but right now I can’t say it will be among the best. It’s definitely the best album I’ve heard all week if that means anything!

Grade: B+ (89)