Givers' 2011 full-length debut
In Light fleshes out the dancey, hippie-leaning indie rock of the Louisiana band's self-titled 2009 EP. In fact, since the album simply adds five tunes to the EP, if you were already a fan you will certainly enjoy what the
Givers have given up here. In many ways,
In Light splits the difference between the peppy pseudo-Afro pop of
Vampire Weekend and the percussive, improv-heavy dance rock of
Local Natives. That might be a bit of a knock against
In Light if it wasn't such an accomplished, ambitious debut. Rather than coming off as an indie rock also-ran,
Givers sound genuinely influenced by a mix of
Sonic Youth,
Graceland-era
Paul Simon,
Carlos Santana, and
My Bloody Valentine without ever really aping any of these artists. Part of that success comes from dual-vocalists
Tiffany Lamson and
Taylor Guarisco, who sound like
Vampire Weekend's
Ezra Koenig dueting with
Chan Marshall, in the best way possible. Tracks like fizzy lead-off cut "Up Up Up" and the rambling, uplifting "I Saw You First" mix hummable melodies and positive lyrics over bright, serpentine guitar lines, light keyboard accents, and an ever-present rhythmic drive. Elsewhere,
Givers delve into atmospheric and handclappy dance anthems like "Ceiling of Plankton," and deliver the expansive and yearning midtempo ballad "Atlantic." The track, much like the rest of
In Light, is stunning and epic in scope. ~ Matt Collar