ALOHA - 'Sugar'

Aloha
'Sugar'
Polyvinyl Records
lauren@freelancetcetera
Vibraphone-Rock has arrived, and it is here to stay. Ohio's Aloha combine voice, guitar, vibraphone, synthesizers, and varied percussion to establish a sub-genre with attributes that could be applied to many styles with good results. But Aloha didn't just throw in a vibraphone and claim to be the new thing - they've shown it. Their sound is a jazzy mix that is light, uplifting, and sometimes quite cathartic. After two and a half minutes of acquaintance time with the instrumental mixture, "They See Rocks" explodes through with vocals and suspenseful chiming, giving way to Matthew Gengler's runaway bass. The captivating bass playing marks this one, and everything else is maneuvering around it. It's no wonder they placed it at the beginning. A great follow-up track is "Let Your Head Hang Low", opening with a sing-along chorus over smiling guitar chops, to be augmented by Caribbean and drum kit percussion. Many of the less predominant tracks hold their own in an aura of vibraphone that is truly angelic at times. Aloha would be a better-than-decent rock-pop band without it, but the vibraphone gives 'Sugar' its extra sweetness. "Protest Song" is a cloud of whirling, whistling tones, and we get a glimpse of the storm at the center. The calm of "Thieves All Around Us" follows, a five-minute walk in the park. The interesting "Dissolving" threatens to leave us, then fades from a modest, but climactic point into a snowstorm of guitar, vibraphones, and barely audible synth-capuccino sounds. "We Get Down" is somewhat reminiscient of Ben Folds Five, and closes the disc to the march of crashing cymbals. You're missing out if you don't at least hear a few tracks from this album. Even if the vibraphone seems like a bit much, it is worth your time to experience Aloha's interpretation of a rare concept.