More Like A Movie, Less Like Real Life

Who? Hailing from the almighty land down under (that's Australia for those of who unfamiliar with Men at Work), this indie-pop duo has been gathering buzz for their emotionally-layered pop songs overflowing with love and peace. Like John Lennon, if he was from Melbourne ... and less focused on writing songs about Yoko. How is it? After their debut EP The Joy We Keep In earned them some dedicated fans, Ellington worked relentlessly to start recording a batch of new songs they could develop even further - and introduce to a wider audience. Enlisting the help of producer Matt Malpass (Copeland, Lydia) and some special guest stars (Matthew Thiessen (Relient K), Jeff Turner (Say Anything) and Leighton Antelman (Lydia)), the six-track record sounds phenomenal for a duo self-releasing it. Jake Bosci's warm and inviting vocals barely register a whisper above the atmospheric, dream-like guitar work, moving away from the meloncholic self-loathing most indie-pop bands center on, instead focusing on love and all the senses it manipulates with its gentle embrace. "She said it's not hard to fall in love / The hardest part is proving that love is what you wanted / and what you'll need for the rest of your life," sings Bosci on "Wide Awake and Smiling," glimmering with sentiment and optimism. Bosci tends to write the same themes over and over, using similar phrases and conversations to tie a story together (much like Dashboard Confessional did with Summer Kiss & So Impossible), mentioning features of a particular girl (i.e. her smile) and his regrets, insecurities and ultimate sacrifice for her love. On the aptly titled "Love," he croons out, "I swear I'll stay and make the same mistakes you made look better," and on closing track, "The World Through Weary Eyes," he belts out, "She said everybody falls in love / If you haven't, you're not looking hard enough." It's obvious what the centerpiece theme is here - and Bosci (along with band partner Michael Beatson, whose accompanying vocals add more influx to their wondrous soundscape) isn't shying away from what he not only thinks but believes. In a time full of negativity and doubt ... it's good to know there's still effortless optimism and unabashedly candid songwriters still out there.