Belaire'sExploding Impacting is an album that very well captures the essence of summer madness: the spectral emotional range goes from playful romanticism ("You Really Got Me Goin'") to the deeply reflective ("Waiting Patiently" and You're Not A Kid Anymore". ) The band's sound is somewhere between '60s Brazilian Tropicalia (Caetano Velosco, Gilberto Gil, Os Mutantes) and early '80s synth-pop (Gary Numan, Talking Heads, OMD) taken in a new direction. Though twin sisters Cari and Christa Palazzolo sing like they could very well be back up for Mariah Carey, there is more to Exploding Impacting than just sonic nostalgia.

The songs are uniquely progressive, retaining a certain element of childlike innocence. The CastleVania-like opus of "Shadows Moving On the Wall" and the percolating rock of "Step Step Step" are perfect examples of the steady relationship between new-new-wave rock and nonchalance. Synthesizers go ballistic as buzzing oscillators swell in orchestral unison with the air tight rhythm section courtesy of Matt Simon and Jason Chronis. The album is wistful, yet assertive in confidence. Overall the album is truly an excellent work of songwriting and fantastic production.

Belaire: [myspace]