Comprised of four Westfall siblings (Charles, Jillian, Andrew and Robin), this Floridian quartet’s debut is a jumpy blend of textured new wave and nervy post-punk. The interplay between singer/guitarist Charles Arthur Westfall, who shares vocal duties with his sister Jillian, brings to mind The Pixies by way of a gruffer version of The Beautiful South. The fiery surge of “Kublai Khan” is undeniably catchy; “Memento Mori” captures the twitchy brilliance of the Talking Heads and “Spooky Action” finds the pair harmonizing on the line “There is no limitation to what can happen.” Although this is a sentiment seemingly rife with optimism, delivered by these two, it somehow comes across as a warning. Part of this is due to Charles’ occasionally growling Black Francis-like delivery, and while Jillian may lack the coiled sexuality of Kim Deal, she’s a perfect foil for her brother, emerging as a kind of wary conscience. “Frenzy (What Happened Then)” finding Charles lamenting “…all these things have been a let down,” is fueled by Robin’s prowling bass line that leads directly to Andrew’s muscular backbeat, while “Behold The Man” is an anxious and throbbing narrative which is punctuated by Charles’ libidinal grind. An impressive debut that is at once both battering and gorgeous.
~ Alex Green
