The Drums are Florida natives (now transplanted to NYC) and have established themselves as a ground roots pop phenomena, with their mainlined and almost irresistible pop music. Debut single ‘Let’s Go Surfing’ almost defies people not to love the Drums. With their influences ranging from Factory Records and the sort of sunshine pop a teenage Brian Wilson used to write, it all morphs into a perfect soundtrack for a jerky, geeky, and quirk-laden ride down to the Beach. The pop aesthetic offers a sense of nostalgia in the grooves; yet, the anxiety of their Peter Hook-like bass lines, underpins everything with a rushing urgency of pure, jangled, nervous pop.

For the Drums, pop is not a dirty word. ‘Let’s Go Surfing’ is a hand dealt with pop and possibly the best use of whistling in song since Morricone and Peter, Bjorn and John’s modern classic ‘Young Folks’. It harkens back to the days of innocence retro charms of the 50s (so much so, it is almost as if Jonathan Richman imagined them one afternoon so he wouldn’t feel as lonely). It makes sense for the Drums’ lead singer Jonathan Pierce and guitarist Jacob Graham to have initially met at a summer camp when they are kids. Their music is a peon to days past filled with sentimental vibes of innocence and happiness. ‘Let’s Go Surfing’ is no retread. The Drums music is made without a trace of cynicism or irony and I gotta say – the world is better for it.

Alan