Consistency is a hard thing to perfect. Too many bands aim too high and pollute their great ideas with sub-par songs, whereas an equal amount simply don't try hard enough or cop out for easy formulas, making their songs generic and boring in the process. Limbeck is one of those bands who manages to get things right for the most part, and while they aren't the most original band in the world, there's a lot to be said for a record that can be listened to twice a day for a month straight and still hold your interest.
Recent bands have opted for the new or unique without managing to back these notions with any musical catch; Limbeck ignores all that, writing simple, catchy, country-tinged indie pop with a series of incredible hooks, stacked one on top of the other. Their inventiveness is as simple as a well-placed guitar lick, an unexpected stop/start, or a strong vocal melody wrapped inside honest-yet-undramatic wordplay. With the exception of a pair of duds on the second half of the record, everything here can be listened to repeatedly and still remain fresh.
Lyrical concepts are simple things, like the sending off of friends in "I Wrote This Down," being driven to the airport in "The Sun Woke the Whole State," or "In Ohio On Some Steps"'s story of being lonely on the road. As per usual in this genre, there are a few lyrical blunders to be scrambled over, but nothing so bad it'll ruin your love of the songs, which are told in a cut-to-the-chase fashion that works with the chiming guitars and minimalist rhythm section, creating an effective backdrop for the mundane occurrences of life that can be interesting if pondered over.
The songs on this record won't change your life, but the fact that you'll probably end up listening to it every time you get in your car will make sure you arrive at your future destinations with a grin on your face.
