The fourth album from Tempe, Arizona alt-rockers
the Maine,
Forever Halloween finds the band continuing to refine their sound, a process that started back in 2010 with
Black & White. Striking just the right balance between melancholy and wistfulness, the album evokes nostalgia without feeling overly sentimental as it takes a contemplative stroll down memory lane with a city-meets-ountry sound that feels inspired by the more pop-leaning moments of bands like
Wilco and
the Old 97's. Fans of
the Maine are going to have an easy time falling in love with this one, but anyone looking for a new slice of that (relatively) old alt-rock sound should give
Forever Halloween a chance to get its hooks into them.