Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Cool, calm, and collected best describes Aloha, a four-piece progressive styled band out of Washington D.C. Light Works, which debuted on Polyvinyl Records in early December 2007, was not their first release, but definitely their most publicly recognized. Light Works is a short 30 minute, seven song, EP, and is rather well done for a small group on a small label. It is definitely a new, more experimental type of sound, yet its soothing and easy to listen to. I’d say most people will react favorably to this album, and Aloha’s ability to put complex ideas, lyrically, to simple, flowing instrumentals is rather impressive. Personally I find the acoustic guitar to be most original, and lucid. But Aloha does need to work on finding their own definite sound.

Even though I do enjoy their music, they have the potential to fall as forgettable by their simple sound. I would imagine seeing Aloha live in a small indie bar opening for a larger, yet still local level act, in which the crowd pays very little attention to. Yes, thier is soothing and calm, but so is every other artist in this progressive type of style. Aloha needs to find something, create something that is actually Aloha themselves. I wish to see a more dynamic range in their ability, if Aloha really wishes to go farther than opening for other small acts.