E Double

E Double is a rock band unafraid to perform in cargo shorts, to advertise a KMXV 93.3 endorsement, and to layer bright acoustic strumming and echo-drenched electric arpeggios with such innocent abandon that it might as well be saying, “U2 who?” A first listen to this album will send anyone unfamiliar with the widely toured Lawrence-based group to the liner notes in search of telltale, nongay, alt-Christian references to being saved by a heavenly “Him.” Amid the acres of faintly printed lyrics, there are plenty of abstract, vaguely romantic addresses to various yous — in fact, every damn song is to a you. We pity the you in “Ordinary”: When you took me back, I left/Tore my shorts and beat my chest. (See, we told you about the shorts.) As for gospel allusions, there are none. Instead, Coldinmay floats upon cycling waves of competently produced, made-for-outdoor-festival pop that’s essentially wallpaper to Scott Newcomer’s adequately soulful baritone — then, finally, on the very last track, E Double puts on jeans and decides to make rock and roll.

Categories: Music