The Winterpills return with an artful new album.
WinterpillsThe Winterpills, “All My Lovely Goners,” (Signature Sounds). 4 stars.
When you hear songs like “Rogue Highway” and “Amazing Sky,” it becomes quite clear that the Winterpills have dusted off the electric guitar cases and expanded their sound.
Typically known for their exquisite, dream-inducing indie-pop charms, the Winterpills have always blended a combination of close harmonies, acoustic instrumentation, and vivid songs.
Here on their fourth release, they continue to explore the fringes of chamber pop, but they’ve turned some new tricks as well. Principals Philip Price and Flora Reed guide the Northampton and Hadley-based group through hushed but captivating fare such as the falsetto sung “Feather Blue,” the mostly mellow “Small Bright Doses” and the mood setting opener “We Turned Away.”
It’s then that the Winterpills open into new sonic terrain however. Check out the drum and guitar sizzling “Rogue Highway,” or the big arrangement on “Dying Star.” Reed gets a very welcome shot in the spotlight on “The Sun is Alone,” and in a simple spin, the Winterpills have gone around the world.
On the subject of a simple spin, the band will be releasing “All My Lovely Goners” on vinyl on Record Store Day, April 21.
The Winterpills will be playing the Iron Horse Music Hall on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.
Songs to download: “Dying Star,” “The Sun is Alone”
Rating Scale: One Star (poor) to Five Stars (a classic).