Jets Overhead
Boredom and Joy
(Warner)
4.5/5
Textures. Soaring, otherworldly melodies. Unforgettable pop tunes that become part of your life. Here, on album three, locals Jets Overhead prove that in a different era (that’s the ’80’s), they would have been radio heroes, because they’ve got all of the above, and more. Take one listen to the amazing “Beach Dream,” which sounds like one of those brief moments when R.E.M. weren’t being mind-blowingly pedestrian and instead were working subtle, intellectual indie-rock magic. Jets Overhead do that, always, on this album. “Love Got in the Way” shows a funkier, dancier side of classic ’80’s radio pop, while “Butterflies” is the perfect late-night summertime floating gaze-rock tune; “Your Desire” is the song that should put this band on the international rock map once and for all. “These Girls are Friends of Mine” ends the album like one of those acoustic Black Crowes stoned-out stompers that you just can’t help but get sucked into, clock ticking, time passing, realization that it’s all good slowly sinking in through strummed chords, smart words, and comforting, familiar melodies. Yup, this one’s a keeper.