Mantles - All Odds End [CD]

The Bay Area has a rich history of garagey, folkrock bands and since their formation in 2007 The Mantles have carved themselves out a very unique spot in that lineage. From their roots as a loose and loud Velvets/Nuggets-bashing outfit through a series of excellent releases on labels like Siltbreeze and Mexican Summer, the band developed their sound and moved towards a more contemplative, melodic vibe. In 2013 they released their second album, the Kelley Stoltz produced 'Long Enough To Leave', which saw them consolidate the progression of their previous records into a uniquely impressionistic brand of psychedelic pop. Now the band is back with 'All Odds End', another understated, marvellously-textured guitar pop album featuring a tweaked line-up that now includes the swirling keyboards of Carly Putnam and the rock-solid bass of Matt Bullimore. 'All Odds End' is full of folky, garagey flavours that echo the Paisley Underground and the best of New Zealand's underground pop. The lovely, sympathetic production by Jason Quever (Papercuts, The Donkeys, Elisa Ambroglio) only serves to underline the timeless nature of the tunes, songs that are at once familiar and fresh and place The Mantles into a category all their own.