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Virginia, North
Carolina, & DC

Pagoda: Dearly Departed
[Stateside/Lazyline]

All hail a little something I like to call lazy-rock! Rather than trying to categorize Pagoda and their brilliant debut album, Dearly Departed, I, dearest LOTD reader, have taken it upon myself to create an entire genre for these D.C. area boys. Thats right. Lazy-rock, it is. But please know that this particular sub-genre I have so pompously invented, where Pagoda reside, is not filled with pejorative connotations; I guess I just mean that this music makes me rock out in a more cerebral, less physical way. All explanations aside, back to this amazing album

Pagoda arent really shoegazers, and they arent really psychedelic pop, nor are they simply experimental guitar-noise.  One things for sure though; the four smarty-pants musicians that form Pagoda must know their rock history and must know the first generation of indie rockers to take from the Velvets. Over the course of their nine-song (and much too short) debut, Pagoda prove their dedication to bands such as Yo La Tengo, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Galaxie 500, and even early-era Floyd. Thats right; these kids are poised to be critical darlings. Honestly, whats not to like? Tacks like Superbreakout and Cajun Prairie exhibit jangle-riffic and intricate guitar lines that turn into spacey jams. Elsewhere, one can hear pseudo-blues and a slow-moving slide guitar paired with comforting Ira Kaplan-esque whispery vocals. This album is the mellow indie rockers dream come true. Lazy-rock on, my brothers!

This album can be purchased at Amazon

Pagoda Official Website

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