When You Land Here It's Time to Return [2014 Remix]

The lone album released before transforming into , is the ultimate definition of pop. Following in the dual footsteps of jangling indie pop and '60s-inspired rock ( ), the band churns out incredibly sunny, peaceful, and generally fun guitar pop that's pretty difficult not to like. The album's only flaw is its tendency to slip into almost emo-ish constructions (standard and moves) -- thankfully, though, this leaning is rare in comparison to the charming pop that makes so lovable. Though needed a bit more focus and invention, their work here holds the potential that and company more than delivered on just a few years later with the classic . ~ Nitsuh Abebe