Not to be confused with Camper Van Beethoven last album, or the font, New Roman Times is from Orlando, and their debut record International Affairs is the first release on Florida-based Social recordings. The label has picked a cracker to start with. Although its not always the case, the list of bands NRT has supported-Death Cab For Cutie, Cursive, Rainer Maria, The Rapture and VHS or Beta-does provide a good idea of their sound. NRT definitely has that slightly idiosyncratic yet seductively-accessible thing down pat. The band manages to craft arty-but not annoying-indie melodies and sing heartfelt, often bleak songs about love and life that never sound contrived. Vocalists Josie Fluri and Dan Owens play off each other with the lyrical fluidity of Sonic Youths Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore, and it works so well on tracks like A Scene From the Disco Era and the fantastic opener Reversion Therapy that its nothing short of moving. But the band is never sentimental for sentiments sake, and thats what makes it so damn charming. International Affairs lyrics and sound have an inherent purity thats as rare as it is welcome. LUKE CRISELL- NYLON-CHECK OUT THE VIDEO TRAILER FOR THE "BRIGHTER DAYS, DARKER NIGHTS" E.P. BELOW
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