The Tyde - Three's Co.

Genre rock Publisher Rough Trade Records External Links Official The Tyde Website Official Rough Trade Records Website

With their third full-length release, the appropriately titled Three's Co., West Coast indie-poppers The Tyde seem to have decided to try their hand at creating their own version of the quintessential "California album." It seems like every band hailing from the Golden State has to give it a shot at least once during their careers (or more, if you're the Beach Boys or the Chili Peppers), so why not a modern American indie take? The Tyde, who share members with refried psych-sters Beachwood Sparks and spin a more buoyantly accessible version of the latter's 1960's pop-informed sound, have always done it with a definite California twist but never as prominently displayed as it is here. Whether singing about cruising ("Separate Cars"), beaches ("Aloha Breeze"), or girls ("Too Many Kims") it's perfectly clear that these boys are in a California state of mind.

And, for the most part anyway, it works pretty well - at least as well as anybody might expect from this all too jaded generation of indie kids that usually shun the waves and rays in favor of smoky bars with plenty of darkened corners to brood in. "Do It Again Again" starts the album in fine form, what with the airy vocal melody and power-pop keyboards, but it is second track and single "Brock Landers" that really kicks the album into gear and finds the band firing on all cylinders. The delivery and vocal effects nearly render it a dead ringer for a lost Strokes single, but by the time that first (yes there is a second!) guitar solo segues into the distinctly fifties radio breakdown all is forgiven. It's a great tune that gets the toes tapping and sets a high standard for the rest of the disc, a standard that is unfortunately never seen again. Pretty piano ballad "Separate Cars" starts out with promise but overstays its welcome by the time the five minute mark rolls around. And for every excellent example of sixties pop pastiche like "Glassbottom Lights" or "Aloha Breeze," there is another attempt with reference points too obvious ("Too Many Kims" melody = The Smithereens, "County Line" riff = Veruca Salt) to allow one to enjoy the song without being reminded of the others.

Three's Co. is far too spotty to become anyone's default beach blanket album, but as far as breezy, lightweight summer albums go one could do worse. But an even better bet would be to toss "Brock Landers" on your next road trip mix and take a little bit of summer sun with you, even if just happens to be a cold fall day in Chicago.