Customer Reviews

I Hope You're Feeling Better Now

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Follow up EP's tend to be more throw up eep, than stunning return to form. Fortunately for fans of Irving's debut "Good Morning Beautiful", this is not the case. The debut that contained the mixtape staple "L-O-V-E" was a wonderful venture into indie pop that was as danceable as it was melodic. "I Hope You're Feeling Better Now" clocks in with five tracks of more complicated melodies and a growing ability to write songs from the five SoCal boys. Apparently each member takes turns writing songs, but the result is nary the disjointed mesh of styles that one would assume. Sure, the first song, "Curious Thing About Leather", crams about half a dozen styles into six minutes of pop in a manner that would make Brian Wilson smile. The stuttering feedback intro builds and builds and builds until finally apexing in a barage of horns and ba-ba-ba's that is sweet music to our ears. The only song that comes close to reaching the opening numbers sheer brilliance is "I Can't Fall In Love" - the Strokes-esque vox aided dip into self pity. However, the other three songs all manage to grasp a listeners ear for the better. For $9 there isn't a much better pick up.

I first heard Irving a few years ago at the Noise Pop Festival, and they skyrocketed to my favorite band overnight. I catch their show every time they play in town, and they are consistently fun, energetic and the music is just beyond catchy.

It's so rare to find a band where every single song is consistently great, but somehow Irving pulls it off. I cannot give a higher recommendation for this band and this album. Every person I've played it for has been hooked, even those who "don't like the bands today." Do yourself a really big favor and check out any of the Irving albums, and try to catch a live show if at all possible. You won't be disappointed! Frankly I'm shocked they haven't become as famous as Death Cab or Belle & Sebastian. If you like either of those bands, Beulah, The Aislers Set or The New Pornographers, you'll love Irving.

There's definitely a Beach Boys meets the Beatles influence, with incredible musical hooks and a modern indie pop sensibility. My favorite song on this EP is Curious Thing About Leather, but it was I Can't Fall in Love that ironically made me fall in love with this band. :)

There's just something about this band and the way they put songs together in a brand new yet familiar way that draws me in every time. I sure hope you give them a try!