Schooner: Hold On Too Tight

Some albums seem to attract listeners from the get-go whereas others take quite a few times to warm up to even a handful of tracks. Schooner tends to lean towards the former with the simple “Carrboro” that sounds like a catchy Velvet Underground B-side. The tandem of Reid Johnson and Kathyrn Johnson pull off harmonies that would fare well compared to the likes of Luna. Meanwhile, the doo-wop flavored “Pray for You to Die” is deadpanned rather solidly in terms of delivery. Although there are a few pieces that are basically interludes, songs like the majestic “Tears in Your Ears”, the country-tinged “Leaving in Your Room”, and “Married” are finely and delicately crafted. Yet another highlight has to be the poppy, spring-in-your-step feel oozing from “They Always Do”. Schooner rarely straddles from what works, especially on the shuffling, melancholic “Hospital Floor” and the rather tender “Ladybug” which sounds a bit like The Arcade Fire.