The Delays

It’s funny how certain music can really fit the moment you are in. I had one of those experiences the other day, listening to a CD that was recommended to me by one of my favorite library patrons.

The Delays debut album, Faded Seaside Glamour is filled with excellent pop melodies and jangly guitars that sounded great to me while I was driving home on a beautiful summer evening. The music fit perfectly the movement of my truck, the warm breeze flowing through the windows and the gorgeous sunset I was driving towards.

I am ignoring perhaps the most unusual aspect of The Delays — the lead singer’s voice. He sings in an almost falsetto style, sounding a little like Aimee Mann or maybe Dolores O’Riordan of the Cranberries. At first his voice pulls you into the music, making you want to hear more. But that voice would only be a novelty if good song writing didn’t back it up. Songs like “Wanderlust,” “No Ending” and “You Wear The Sun” showcase the band’s ability to convey emotion through the lyrics and their musicianship. The dreamy pop melodies, the breezy hooks and that voice give the music a sublime quality, putting you right at the seaside (or in my case the other evening, driving along the seaside highway).