The Great Nostalgic – Hope We Live Like We Promised

Like a poorly preserved Elvis Costello action figure, The Great Nostalgic have a seventies charm that by now is starting to smell a bit off, and they bear this with pride. Hope We Live Like We Promised sounds dated, clichéd and like any other retro-indie band you can care to think of but then, suddenly, it starts to sound pretty damn good. The fog clears and melody begins to permeate the heavy air of nostalgia, bringing with it the glimpse of something original.

Perhaps it’s just that Abram Shook’s wavering voice takes some adjusting to, or maybe it’s the initially underwhelming production finally getting under the skin, but nonetheless upon reaching midpoint Wilderness, the whole thing starts taking on greater cohesion. James Miller’s bass seems to lock into more of a groove, and Shook’s vocals begin to match the rest of the band more naturally, and thankfully it keeps it going admirably. An easy album to dismiss off hand but undoubtedly worth the perseverance.