Baskervilles – Twilight

Actual pop music is a misappropriated commodity these days. More often than not, it’s polluted by the misplaced modifiers heaped upon it by critics in their drive to identify the “Next Big Thing.” Or even worse, the bands themselves hamper their sound, convinced in their pretentiousness that they must make music of some life-shaking import in order to be memorable.
The sad thing is that both sides miss the mark: good pop music shouldn’t be difficult, shouldn’t strive to be more than the sum of its parts. The beauty behind a great pop song is that it’s easily accessible and attractive to anyone who likes music, no matter their pedigree. Take a familiar chord progression, include some well-written, yet easily sing-able lyrics, build around a steady rhythm section, and then toss in some subtle quirks (whimsical front-person, crazy band person, etc.) as the mixture is stirred vigorously. What should result is a sonic solution with a solid sound, a toe-tapping tune for all to enjoy.
And that’s exactly what you get with Twilight, the new album from NYC-based band Baskervilles. Produced by Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Pavement, Birds of Avalon), this record overflows with delectable little ditties swimming in sweet melodies. There’s nothing ostentatious or over-the-top here and that’s what makes it so compelling – male-female harmonies arc over upbeat instrumentation to create a sound that pays due homage to both ’60s pop and Belle And Sebastian B-sides. The dreamy, youthful melancholy present within the lyrics serves as a solid counterpoint to the bright, jangly guitars and big strings that propel the tunes. Led by great tracks like “Caught In A Crosswalk,” “Where Did My Summer Go?,” and “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me),” the four-piece that is Baskervilles have crafted an excellent pop record in Twilight.