Everybody’s Got It Easy But Me

Sound DNA

• Rock

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Hold on here: This is Seattle’s Lars Finberg? Formerly of A-Frames? After a moment of head-scratching, we confirm positive ID and plunge ahead. Finberg’s Intelligence is easily turning out some of the most unique rock records of late, and <i>Everybody’s Got It Easy but Me</i> solidifies the band’s standing. There are a number of bemusing—if not baffling—moments here. Before getting to his trademark jagged, seesaw guitar, Finberg agonizingly counts to 44 in the middle of the relaxed, Casio-driven “I Like L.A.” (Why? And why 44?) The cover of ‘60s pop star Del Shannon’s “Little Town Flirt”—featuring Shannon Shaw of Shannon & The Clams—is sweet and oddly straightforward. There are a good number of midtempo songs that were seemingly crafted in place of the hyper, garage-punk noise that drove the last few Intelligence records. “Sunny Backyard” reaches back to a more experimental, abrasive Finberg, with a screechy, thudding tune about summer in the backyard. “Hippy Provider” has all the juicy new wave sass of “My Sharona.” Just expect the unexpected, and you’ll be fine.

via Apple Music

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