Following a two-year break since their last album and coupled with extensive touring, indie rock veterans Cymbals Eat Guitars returned to the scene with their fourth album in September 2016, inquisitively titled “Pretty Years.” The popular group achieved their highest level of success at the time with their prior album, “LOSE” released in 2014. “Pretty Years” seeks to trust the formula that elevated their status to beloved indie act, with some moderate alterations.
“Pretty Years” keeps the garage rock vibe that characterized previous albums; in fact, it doubles down on it. The vocals are grungier than ever, and the guitars have a delectably thick layer of fuzz poured on. Despite this, “Pretty Years” manages to escape the genericness of many other garage rock soundalikes. Make no mistake, this is not the typical lo-fi/garage rock album. There’s much more present than grungy guitars, cymbal heavy drums and frantic, nonstop power chord based song structure.
“Pretty Years” comes into its own by blending a unique mix of new wave, garage rock and ‘80s indie. It’s as much a nostalgic album as it is a modern one, with callbacks to the classical indie stylings via use of complementary saxophone interwoven with the background fuzz of the guitar and subtle use of synth in unexpected places. The album creates an ambient vibe that comes across as being akin to both retro sounding bands like Tame Impala and Unknown Mortal Orchestra as well as modern acts like Thee Oh Sees or The Orwells. A very strong blend of ‘80s indie, though subtle, with modern indie is definitely present, and may come to redefine the band’s sound from here on out.
The songs on this album also take a more nuanced approach than before. In addition to the excited, frenetic headbangers and anthems, “Pretty Years” is full of wistful, drawn out songs that seem to suggest self-reflection and longing. While still full of energy, most songs on the album are a more concentrated kind of energetic; slower, but more impactful and deliberate. Each line sung is almost spat out of lead singer Joseph D’Agostino. That’s not to say that the songs have come to a grinding halt in terms of tempo, or that the classic garage rock ragers aren’t still present. Indeed, the latter can still be found with all of the angst and aggression expected from a Cymbals Eat Guitars album, plus more. As well, the rest of the songs aren’t slow either, just slower. Which, for this group, is just a more moderate tempo.
“Pretty Years” has succeeded wildly in both preserving the band’s sound whilst expanding upon it. An exciting new fusion of subgenres, with the same old cheeky grit that the world has come to expect from the group. This album is a fantastic ride from start to finish, and will make a great addition to both the group’s catalog and the average garage rock enthusiast’s listening list. Recommended for fans of any and all garage rock, but specifically for those with a touch of nostalgia for ‘80s indie, “Pretty Years” is an exceptionally pretty piece that’s sure to please.
