Temple of Angels : "Endless Pursuit"

Trying to re-create the early 90s dream pop sound  is not about buying the right vintage reverb pedals or using the plug-ins to get a sound, but about the passion of songwriting. There has to be the kind of wistful yearning that this band captures. I knew they were worthy to carry that torch on the first song of their debut album. The brisk two minute post-punk jangle of "Waving to the Wind" makes the most of Bre Morell's vibrant alto that separates them from other post-punk revivalists. They dance into similar sonic gardens as the Cure on "Lost in Darkness". Which despite it's name is hazy brooding alt pop rather what I think of as goth, though it's adjacent enough in it's melancholy to win over fans of the genre, 

"Love Spins Around" has more of an indie rock feel with a more plaintive male croon taking over the mic.  The first song I would call dark is the deeper atmosphere of "When Shadow Smiles" that finds one of the guys joining Morell on vocals, though her voice soars to the forefront to create a more emotionally complex moodiness. This is the first song that a DJ could slip into a set on "goth night" at the club, and less people would notice the stylistic shift. Not that the song is aimed at shaking latex clad booty to, but slithers enough to get the pale ones moving. Same could be said for the bass line to "Torment" which Bre compliments with one of her more ethereal performances. 

She continues to knock it out of the park with her nuanced yet passionate vocal performances on "Secret Places" .Her voice weaves around the guitars perfectly on this song. Which is impressive considering the layered tapestry of sounds she must work around. "Stay" finds a steamy smoldering plea coming from Morell that weaves a web of melodies around the bubbling undercurrent of guitars. The longing that is essential for this kind of music is not only heard in her voice , but the guitars of "the Hill" she only compliments it further. Drummer Patrick Todd takes over lead vocals again for the last song. Not as emotionally charged of a vocal performance his smooth croon carries the kind of indifference that marks the era of music it pays homage to. I will round this up to a 10, as the most heart gripping moments balance out the moments like the last song which work well enough. Fans of moody dream pop with a guitar fueled backbone will  perhaps be as wow'ed as I am by this album. Sadly it does not come out until July 14th so you will have to hold onto the song below in the meantime.