Just two years back, the disarmingly unpretentious Little Ones attracted intrigued ears based on a seven-song EP titled Sing Song. The breezy anthem "Lovers Who Uncover," included on that short release, is the sort of song that, despite its tweeness, achieved pop perfection. There was much to look forward to when the band would eventually release a long-player.

And now they have, and, sadly, nothing on their debut Morning Tide quite compares to the sunny pleasure of "Lovers…" This isn't to say that the album is wholly disappointing—it's just not the pleasant surprise we experienced with the same band in 2006. With an aesthetic positioned as the meeting place for the Shins and early R.E.M., singer Ed Reyes leads his band earnestly through light-hearted pop, as in the galloping "All Your Modern Boxes" and the clap-along-worthy titular song. But, as far as overall memorability is concerned, isn't there some irony in the fact that the title of the album's first single is "Ordinary Song?"

Arye Dworken
09.21.08