Local Sounds (2)

The Volta Sound • Dandelion Wine

The Volta Sound dips rhythms reminiscent of The Velvet Underground into a bucketful of sticky American beach rock for this release from Ben Vendetta's Elephant Stone Records. The band's happy, West Coast '60s sheen is hard to resist and it's not long before you find yourself in the car singing along with the four-part harmonies that have clawed their way into your subconscious. The infinitely catchy "I Love You" begins with what sounds like a group of friends sitting around a basement with a spare acoustic guitar before building to an anthemlike climax backed by a fat bass line and soaring background vocals. Likewise, "Girls and Tambourines" is an infectious acoustic tune with paired male and female lead vocals that make this song one of the best on an already impressive 10-song release. www.elephantstonerecords.com