Again and Again

iTunes Review

Moving beyond the gritty sound of their debut, Introducing, the San Francisco–based Brilliant Colors deliver a set of chiming three-chord pop with a shiny sheen. The difference this time around is the execution. The jangly guitar, bouncy and melodic bass lines, and energetic drumming sound more precise and controlled. The hooks are still there, but the rough punk edges are smoothed in favor of a softer sound augmented by heavy reverb and a lo-fi studio haze. Simple yet catchy melodies are sung in an endearingly off-key, mumbled manner that suits the band’s overall approach nicely. At 10 breezy tracks in just 28 minutes, the entire album passes in a sunny, monochrome blur. The exceptions are “Telephone Stories” and “Back to the Tricks,” which stand apart due to their more melancholy moods and memorable guitar riffs. Again and Again is further proof that a band needn’t break much new ground to deliver something enjoyable.