"In my heart there is plenty of room," sings Xavier Boyer in "Wallpaper for the Soul," "for everyone to kill the gloom." This could be a mission statement for the band's breezy, clean, melodic pop/rock stylings. Despite the album's title, Boyer's fey, breathy vocals don't have enough passion or grit to qualify as truly soulful; the band's sound, which is often sweetened by strings, is lightweight and refined instead of earthy, sensual, or intense. The music is still appealing, however, even tho...   [ read more ]

CD $15.18

Tahiti 80 have released two albums that are low-key pop gems. Their fourth release for Minty Fresh, A Piece of Sunshine, is a strange little record. Too short to be an album, too long to be an EP, one wonders at the rationale behind its release. Does the band not have enough good songs for an album? Do they have so many that they can spare these eight songs to whet appetites for the next full-length? Either way, if you like your pop frothy and with little or no redeeming social qualities the...   [ read more ]

CD $15.18

CD $20.88