The Philly-based indie pop duo makes a bid for commercial glory on its fourth studio long-player, the airtight, hook-filled, and heartfelt Broken into Better Shape.
Good Old War have always been a radio-driven band, seamlessly blending roots rock, power pop, and indie folk into taut, perfectly sweetened retro-pop confections, but rarely have they sounded so strident in their wooing of the mainstream. Opener "Tell Me What You Want from Me," with its relatable down-but-not-out lyrics, easy alt-pop gallop, and
Lumineers-inspired group vocals, sets the stage for a smartly paced ten-track set that feels tailor-made to accompany dramedy movie trailers, automobile and insurance commercials, and slow-mo reality show montages. As has been the case on the group's prior outings,
Keith Goodwin and
Daniel Schwartz's effortless harmonies and pure pop instincts serve as the glue that keeps everything from going into diabetic shock, and standout cuts like the electro-tinged "Never Gonna See Me Cry," the
Vampire Weekend-meets-
They Might Be Giants road trip rocker "Broken Record," and the aforementioned "Tell Me What You Want from Me" deliver hook after hook with unadulterated glee. ~ James Christopher Monger