Dora Flood

Taking a page from the early Brit-pop era of the '90s, this San Francisco quintet has a trippy, psychedelic pop style that is as tight as it is sprawling, exemplified superbly on "Slow Return (To Sleep)" and "Starflower." The title track has lead singer Michael Padilla doing his best Americanized Liam Gallagher over some great guitar work by David Alexander. Influences range from classic Beatles to Oasis circa Be Here Now. But perhaps the introduction to "Down Again" is eerily similar to "Bohemian Like You" by the Dandy Warhols and is the weakest song of the nearly dozen. Airtight pop/rock nuggets such as "Go in Tonight" work well alongside the more experimental and vibrant tracks. Padilla is almost the incarnation of John Lennon in certain instances, such as the opening to "Give Us the Day," which is quite comparable to "Strawberry Fields Forever." British pop was a huge influence on the group, but the subtle use of trumpets and keyboards adds much to the album's overall luster. The music is very strong, veering from hard rock to great pop. Added to this is some witty lyrical quips, which create a solid and infectious album. The only miscue is the bland attempt at funk-pop during "Forget to Be Numb." ~ Jason MacNeil, All Music Guide