The Aquarium: The Aquarium

The music on the Aquarium’s self-titled debut album is like the x-rayed fish which adorns its cover — all bare bones, but uncannily iridescent. With singer Jason Hutto pounding away on either an overdriven electric piano or an aged-sounding keyboard, and Laura Harris’ crisp, staccato drumming keeping a funky rhythm, this Washington duo create distorted soundscapes and hypnotic beats that conjure up images as diverse as spaceships buzzing planet earth (eco-warning “Good People”) and a 21st century ghost dance (“Through the Tunnel”). However, where this long-player really comes to life is on the vibrant, retro-sounding punk song “Waiting for the Girl” and the raucous standout “White House”. All told, these 11 instrumental and vocal cuts form the type of innovative album that restores your faith in independent music. Exhilarating.