The Postelles
…And It Shook Me
Reviewed by Meaghan Pauloksy
If there were ever a need to mush together the Kooks, Vampire Weekend, Kings of Leon, and a little bit of the Strokes, the result would be The Postelles. Conveniently, this little lovechild has either toured or worked with all of them, posing the cyclical question: are they the product of their surroundings or vice versa? After listening to their newly released sophomore album a good three (or nine) consecutive times, the answer is less important and the music more awesome.
The band of four came together while the boys were all at prep school together on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. Formation at a prep school is probably fitting because it seems as though everything they produce is cleverly and carefully done. The album, …And It Shook Me, skillfully incorporates the best of multiple indie/rock sub-genres, proving that these prep school boys didn’t get a solid first album by accident. There was little doubt that they did anyway – they had some help from fellow New Yorker, Albert Hammond Jr. of the Strokes.
The album opens with the title track and a cool, catchy intro, suggestive of a residual Kooks influence from touring together in 2011. Almost too quickly, the song ends and you’re greeted with a funkier tempo and a borderline Julian Casablancas vocal delivery. Then, what’s that – an accompanying female vocalist? Oh but who else has a female vocalist? That’s right! The Kills… also a former touring-mate of The Postelles.
The songs march on, incrementally sprinkling in a medley of sounds and techniques. By the time the ninth or tenth track is reached, they’ve practically traded genres. “Running Red Lights” challenges the initial sound with the passion and soul found in the Kings of Leon’s southern rock. Here’s the impressive part: neither sound is abandoned; they’re simply married together. You’ve got your female vocal in the background, your catchy and cool melody carrying the song and the ripping vocals like that of Caleb Followill and Julian Casablancas. And it doesn’t sound like a hot mess, it just sounds damn impressive.
…And It Shook Me is out now so be sure to learn it before June 11th when they play a hometown show in New York, New York. It’s a solo show and the last after touring with Atlas Genius. Hmm…wonder what this means their next album will sound like?
Rating: 
