CAESARS

Caesars: Cesar Vidal (vocals, guitar); Nino Keller (vocals, drums); Joakim Ahlund (guitar); David Lindquist (bass guitar).

Additional personnel: Kristofer Nergardh (piano, unknown instrument); Bjorn Yttling (Farfisa, unknown instrument).

Sweden's Caesars mine a retro, 1960s sound, with touchstones that include the Zombies, the Yardbirds, the Animals, and the poppier side of the British Invasion a la Herman's Hermits. While it might be easy to label them mere revivalists, there is a freshness and conviction in how Caesars approach this classic aesthetic that is immediately appealing. The minor key jangle of "It's Not the Fall That Hurts" and the arpeggios and layered harmonies of "Out There" hit all the right buttons, while "My Heart Is Breaking Down" shows the band's knack for a well-constructed hook.

At times, as on "Spirit," the opening track, Caesars meld their '60s obsession with a contemporary indie sensibility. Moody and expansive, the tune brings together guitars, layered vocals, and a haunting keyboard line--first with a quiet spaciousness, then with a sense of rock majesty, complete with heavy bass and drums, and feedback-laden guitars. However, the ready-made, iPod-endorsing single "Jerk It Out," with its wiry organ sound, herky-jerky dance rhythm, and memorable chorus, takes the listener, happily, right back in time. With their stylish update of the British Invasion sound on PAPER TIGERS, Caesars have made a highly enjoyable record.

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