Capsule Review: Austin's Peel Debut Self-Titled Album

On their self-titled debut album, Peel delivers a patchwork of songs with well thought-out, energetic arrangements that will no doubt leave a lasting impression. Tracks like "In the City" showcase the combination of Alison Moore's light-bright synths alongside Josh Permenter and Dakota Smith's slurred noise guitar spew. A sort of comforting nostalgia is invoked, reminding you of when you first started listening to early Pavement singles. There is a boozy lit to tracks like "Sliding Doors", which shows the band giving their best crack at stone-drunk blues rock, and obvious reflections of Stereolab in "Workers Wake Up," with its tight horn section that illuminates and provides depth. Peel’s music is enthusiastic, urban, and expansive; it's greased guitar feedback squawk, twisted and shredded into spectral sunshiny pop. --Miguel Hinojosa

Ed Note: This post has been revised.