Count Yer Lucky Stars

iTunes Review

Atlanta-based Gringo Star stirs up an infectious pop riot on its sophomore outing, with a radio-friendly sound that tones down its first record’s garage-rock swagger. That’s not to say Gringo Star doesn't rock out on Count Yer Lucky Stars; try not to do air guitar to the title track’s wailing ‘70s guitar licks or the chunky new wave chords on “You Want It.” Yet the record as a whole feels more suited to swaying than strutting; midtempo rules. Is that a good thing? Yeah, we think so. Great bands like Weezer and Eels have appealed to large audiences with fresh takes on the rock and pop format, and finding that balance is a real challenge. Filtering the sounds of the past rather than aping them, Gringo Star infuses the ‘60s into the “wall of sound” vibe reverberating through “Come Alive,” and it conjures the ‘50s by layering doo-woppy vocals over simple, beefy garage-rock guitar riffs on “Make You Mine.” Count Yer Lucky Stars is an appealing and satisfying work from a band with more tricks up its sleeve than just a playful name. (Ringo should be flattered.)