Artist The Morning Benders

Berkeley indie-pop group The Morning Benders turned heads on 2008’s Talking Through Tin Cans with ’60s pop melodies and restless sloppiness that were refreshingly sweet—much like the nostalgia conjured from the album’s title. The band’s latest, Big Echo, sees the quartet diving into more experimental production courtesy of co-producer Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear, while retaining the old-school pop songwriting that made its debut such a charmer. The big highlight is opener “Excuses,” which derives its booming bass drums, sepia-toned strings, and multi-layered harmonies from Phil Spector’s Wall Of Sound, then breaks down into a show-stopping a cappella bridge straight outta doo-wop lore. 

Updated 10/21/2010