The Features are a quirky pop rock band that has been drawing comparisons between Iggy and The Stooges to Elvis Costello.  The band’s name may even be a nod to Costello’s band, The Attractions.  Exhibit A is the first full-length release from The Features following the U.S release of The Beginning EP earlier this year.

It is not too easy to describe The Features sound; they are a garage band with new wave and pop influences.  The Features are a much better band than that description would warrant.  They have a knack for finely crafted songs that are just weird enough to be interesting and new.

Every track is upbeat, full of catchy riffs and goofy lyrics.  For example the song “Blow it Out” and its chorus of “If you’re happy and you know it, turn the volume up and blow it.”  Ridiculous, expect it to be stuck in your head for days.

Mathew Pelham is the principle lyricist, vocalist and guitars.  Pelham’s guitar lays down the ground work for the songs that feature melodies from the vintage and new keyboards of Parrish Yaw.  Rollum Haas is the drummer and does some great work on this album.  Whatever happened to having a stage name?  What crowd is going to chant “Parrish, Parrish!?”

The title track leads off the album with thumping drums and the prototypical garage rock guitar.  The keyboards blend in to this track but are very noticeable throughout the rest of the album.  The following 11 songs are full of riffs, keyboard lines, and drum beats that on their own are interesting but come together in a sound that is very good, like a musical salsa.

The garage-rock revival, depending on who you talk to, has been deemed a blessing or a curse.  IF it means that bands like The Features get a chance to show what they’ve got, then putting up with the bad is worth it.  Exhibit A is chock full of fun, catchy rock and roll that is just different enough to be exciting.

Exhibit A is the perfect debut album.  Good enough to give the band a chance to make another record but it doesn’t set the expectations in the stratosphere.  Expect them to get better with each album.
 

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