The Mantles

The Bay Area has a rich history of garagey, folk-rock bands and since their formation in 2007 The Mantles have carved themselves out a very unique spot in that lineage. From their roots as a loose & loud Velvets/Nuggets-bashing outfit through a series of excellent releases on labels like Siltbreeze and Mexican Summer, the band developed their sound and moved towards a more contemplative, melodic vibe. In 2013 they released their second album, the Kelley Stoltz produced Long Enough To Leave, which saw them consolidate the progression of the previous records into a uniquely impressionistic brand of psychedelic pop.

Now the band is back with their first new recordings since Long Enough To Leave and a tweaked line-up featuring the swirling keyboards of Carly Putnam and the rock-solid bass of Matt Bullimore. Memory is an upbeat song that recalls some of the finest of the Paisley Underground bands. Buoyed by Justin's twangy lead guitar and Carly's organ, "Memory" boasts the kind of easy lope and indelible melody that The Mantles make seem so effortless.

On the flip we have "Undelivered," a rootsy tune whose psychedelic keyboards and moody demeanor align it firmly with the best of New Zealand's Flying Nun label. It's yet another side of The Mantles and shows some of the exciting directions that their newly-augmented line-up is taking the band. Simple but never simplistic, The Mantles breathe new life into familiar sounds and create something special and vital through song-writing talent and sheer personality.