Abandin Pictures

Fans of bands like Felt and the more twee side of the Church will find something to like on Abandin Pictures' Who Killed the Dinosaurs, with its soaring dynamics and simple melodies highlighting subtle sonic textures and details. "Recess" has the kind of down-tempo, slightly melancholy vibe of Within and...

By Tom Murphy

December 12, 2013

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Fans of bands like Felt and the more twee side of the Church will find something to like on Abandin Pictures' Who Killed the Dinosaurs, with its soaring dynamics and simple melodies highlighting subtle sonic textures and details. "Recess" has the kind of down-tempo, slightly melancholy vibe of Within and Without-era Washed Out, only with sparklier guitar tones, which burst effervescently in the choruses before returning to more introspective but expansive passages. "Etcetera" is more bracing and menacing, with its escalating energy and tempo and its vocal cries into the wilderness. Overall, these songs are reminiscent of early Kitchens of Distinction and that band's penchant for writing solid pop hooks with ambitious guitar work.

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Tom Murphy is a writer, visual artist and musician from Aurora, Colorado. He was a prolific music writer for Westword and a documenter of the Denver music scene.

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Twitter: @simianthinker