Like an endless pitcher of margarita mix, This Is Ivy League’s [Official Site, Myspace] self-titled debut album is a summer essential, and just as refreshing. The album is less beachy than the steel drums of Vampire Weekend, but plenty summery enough to listen to at cookouts while a rogue beetle crisps in your citronella candle. It takes all of the great elements from 60’s folk and pop, and blends them into modern guitar transitions and clever, often dreamy lyrics. From this recipe, This Is Ivy League has concocted a chilled out album that, even with computer generated beats, doesn’t sound like technology threw up all over it.
Brooklyn duo Alex Suarez and Ryland Blackinton (both of Cobra Starship) complement each other vocally and with a pleasing clarity. After listening to the subtly sweet proclamations in “Viola,” you’ll want to take them home to meet your parents. “Celebration” has three likable segments to it, the echoing conclusion impressing on you that you are leaving both the party and the song, not the other way around. There are hints of Simon and Garfunkel sprinkled throughout the album(“Til The Day”), blissful crooning background vocals (“Love Is Impossible”), and catchy do-wop beats (“The Richest Kids”). These strategically incorporated glimpses work well with their unique style.
In a word, charming. Buy This Is Ivy League, become smitten, and play it at a party that Gatsby would envy.
Score: 4/5
This is Ivy League – “London Bridges”
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HAH! awesome to read a review about these guys. I actually met Alex when he was working at the whole foods on 8th avenue. he came in to tekserve (where i was working) to pick up some crap. he mentioned he was recording some stuff and needed some hard drives..so i asked “what kind of music do you play?” – “have you ever heard kings of convenience?” im like “they are actually one of my most favourite bands.. summer on the west hill, winning the battle losing the war..yes” so he and i got talking, and i really got into their stuff. I will be able to say in 10 or 20 years “yeah, i knew them back when they were playing a 5 table coffee shop in east williamsburg…. but i had to leave because they weren’t playing until 10pm and i had to work the next day” – hah!
funny enough, i STILL haven’t seen the boys live. shame, really.
at any rate, i gotta send him an email now and point him to this review!