Derby

"Oddly, Derby hail not from the English town of the same name but from Portland, Oregon; odd because their sound is so quintessentially English. Head over heels in love with the British Invasion, on Posters Fade, their sophomore set, the group resurrect in all its pert, melody rich glory. And melodies are the key to this set, the cheerful kind one can sing along with after the first couple of lines, and mostly set to rhythms that will send you hopping across the floor in delight.

The first single, "All or Nothing" is a case in point, BritPop with a twist, as a New Order styled rhythm courses right over a Jam-ish number. "Michigan" also has an Order-ed edge, but tied to a more indie styled song. "As My Own" goes with the indie sound, but blends it with late '60s rock, while the title track is a glam-stomper, but hustled right back to the '60s. The Kinks are Derby's most obvious influence, with the set opener "Why Don't You Do It" an homage to their Muswell Hillbilly period, while "Stop Stalling" pays tribute to their earlier sound. But The Beatles, too, play their part, leaving their most notable mark on "Stumps", one of a handful of downbeat numbers found on the set. And whether psychedelic doused or tinged with a Western flavor, these moodier songs deftly break up the set, and balance the band's otherwise bright and perky sound. Still, it's the up-tempo numbers like the garage-y "Streetlight", "Stalling," "Posters," and the grandiosity of "Own," that will garner instant attention. As will the band's sharp lyrics, interpersonal themes, and frequent mentions of bears, apparently a metaphor for the more gruffer and unpleasant side of women. Smart pop for the masses." - All Music Guide