La Sera

The Vivian Girls are openly indebted to ’80s punk and riot grrl acts like Bikini Kill, but their single “My Love Will Follow Me” takes its inspiration from early ’60s girl-groups helmed by Phil Spector. As La Sera, Vivian Girls bassist “Kickball” Katy Goodman offers the logical extension. Crafted by collaborator Brady Hall, the self-titled debut is an ode to economy: Hall’s warm, elemental hooks are instantly inviting, and at a brisk 26 minutes, Goodman coyly flees to the next dreamy pop song as quickly as it garners familiarity. Sans Hall, the new album Sees The Light is an immediate, sure-footed blast of harmonious garage-pop with an added punch on tracks like “Break My Heart” and “Please Be My Third Eye.”

Updated 05/03/2012