If there’s any band that can typify what indie rock sounds like in 2013, it’s Brooklyn’s Caveman. On their sophomore self-titled album, the band furthers their sonic template with lush, breezy atmospheres and calming melodies fueled by textured guitars, mesmerizing synth lines, and the occasional world music influenced drumming.
The band has always been exceptional at balancing both the loud, forceful side of indie rock with a quieter, moodier angle; this contrast is exemplified well with “In The City” and “Shut You Down.” The former is lively electro-pop jam with vibrant singing, while the latter is a more subdued, gentle moment with dual vocals used together to set the contemplative backdrop. Overall, this is an intimate listen. The melodies are often nothing short of glorious and the musicianship is a swirling mass of sugary-sweet ear candy. Tracks like “Chances” use buried singing about loss, while leadoff track “Strange To Suffer” veers into atmospheric folk territory. Elsewhere, the quintet strays into artsy avenues with the surreal, spacey “Over My Head” and the louder, prog-rock feelings of “Pricey.” Still, they add in plenty of straightforward pop moments, with “Where’s The Time” subtly paying homage to Brian Wilson.
On their latest work, Caveman bring folk and post-rock ideas to the party in a way that is on par with the greatness of their first album, Coco Beware, though this disc features a more expansive and experimental sound overall. Rich with reverb, synth, and harmonies, the consistent smattering of nearly every aspect of rock music keep the listener guessing and fully enamored. Undeniably retro sounds like “Ankles” collide with modern day indie rock ideas like the acoustic guitar led “I See You,” resulting in a timeless, albeit atypical sound. With this excellent sophomore album, Caveman flexes their muscles and we’re all better off for it.
