Strange Hearts

In 2011 indie rock circles, the popular critical buzzword "60s influences" usually refers to the Phil Spector-via-Psychocandy sound so beloved by acts like Best Coast and Dum Dum Girls. Midwestern boy-girl trio Secret Cities has more than a little of that sound in their sophomore album: though the press kit claims Strange Hearts was recorded in a disused Kansas City bank, the reverb-heavy results are more reminiscent of the bottom of a particularly deep well. But just under that wall of fuzz lurk influences like the lilting Latin ballad rhythms of Roy Orbison or The Drifters, the gossamer vocal harmonies of post-Beach Boys sunshine pop acts like Harpers Bizarre and The Association, and enough sterling pop-song hooks to keep a Brill Building songwriting team in royalties for a year. Heck, on "Pebbles," they even essay that early '60s AM-radio staple, the teenage death song. Female singer MJ Parker has a better-than-average voice reminiscent of Inara George's sophisticated purr, while the appealingly melodramatic delivery of her partner Charlie Gokey recalls both the great Gene Pitney and the Antony Hegarty of the early '50s, Johnnie Ray. Really, it's just a shame that the monochromatic production obscures such an inventive and sturdy set of tunes.