AMG Review of Solid Guild

Heather Phares
All Music Guide

On their debut album, Solid Guild, the Joggers craft a sound that fits in perfectly with their fellow Star Time labelmates and alumni. Their sharply hooky guitars, moody-yet-bouncy melodies, and shouty, slightly nasal vocals recall both the French Kicks and, especially, the Walkmen. On songs like "I'm Not Convinced" and "Oriental Alarms," singer Ben Whitesides could be a dead ringer for the Walkmen's Hamilton Leithauser, while the rest of the Joggers have an appealingly shambling approach that also recalls that band, albeit with less theatricality and more hooks. None of this means that the Joggers are derivative; it's just that they're another perfect expression of the Star Time sound. Besides, you can never have too much angular-yet-catchy, post-punk-inspired indie rock, especially when it's as engaging as Solid Guild is. Most of the album finds the Joggers bouncing around to keep from falling apart, as on "Hot Autism" and "Every Other Word," but they start the album on an atmospheric note with "Loosen Up," which boasts surprisingly intricate guitars and sleigh bells; and the three-part harmonies on "Back to the Future" and "Neon Undercarriage" add a little romantic flair. A few slightly samey tracks keep Solid Guild from brilliance, but overall, it's a strong, entertaining first album.