MOG

MOGstars out of ten: Eight

Indie pop bands aren’t really known for their longevity, usually they disappear from the limelight when that tricky second album fails to make a splash, or disappear up their own rear ends in experimentation. Now entering their twelfth year and releasing their 6th full length album, (the first after the tragic death of member San Fadyl) The Ladybug Transistor a bucking this trend with aplomb. Latest offering _Can’t Wait Another Day_ (which hits the shelves June 5th) is a dreamy piece of sun-drenched pop which will have you wanting to sit by a pool and sip a cocktail. Opening track _Always on the Telephone_ is wry in its lyrics yet idyllic in its music, denouncing the hectic isolation of modern life with a sway rather than a swagger, while _I’m Not Mad Enough_ can’t help but evoke images of LA (a strange effect from an east coast band, but I’m not complaining. _Here Comes the Rain’s_ dreamy harmonies and effortless riffs make it feel like a sixties song you just can’t remember the name of, whilst _Terry’s_ baseline was made for a slow dance in a sharp suit. _This Old Chase_ adds a much-needed up-beat element, but doesn’t change the pace too much. Things soon drop to the familiar gentle pace with laid-back love song _For No Other_, while _Three Days From Now_ and _In-Between_ sound like sure-fire surf-pop. Acoustic ballad _So Blind_ is a doleful ode to soured love, while _Broken Links'_ groovy beat replaces this emotion with energy, and damn good brass melodies. _California Stopover_ celebrates the state that the whole album reminds you of and album closer _Lord Don’t Pass Me By_ is a fine end to the record, with funky guitar solos and gentle vocals. _Can’t Wait Another Day_ is a wonderful piece of alt-pop. Its west coast tinged melodies leave you longing for sunshine and pool parties, while the sixties overtones lend a very classy feel. Sounding like a cross between Cracker and The Shins, The Ladybug Transistor create a warm and multi-layered sound that begs for listen after listen, great instrumentation and tight lyrics give the album a satisfying polish. So if you are looking for a soundtrack to your sunsets you could do a lot worse than this beauty.