It’s been over a decade since I’ve been to Brooklyn. If I were to visit again now, I have to imagine every third person I’d pass on the street would be a member of an indie rock band with a decent amount of credibility. It’s perhaps the headquarters for every band with ties to someone who was on Letterman (there’s no doubt plenty of impressive music originates from there, though, of course, as does plenty of mediocrity.)
Then there’s White Rabbits, who already have two glorious LPs under their belt and just dropped Milk Famous, a highly anticipated disc for not only for those adorning ironic mustaches but rock ‘n’ roll fans alike. Starting off with “Heavy Metal,” White Rabbits channel their inner indie funk with some very Spoon-like swagger in the form of keyboard loops, groove filled bass lines, and punchy pop rock. From there, the pop sensibilities seep in, often sounding nostalgic though they also stock plenty of sonic, futuristic moments in their arsenal.
“Danny Come Inside” and “Hold It To The Fire” could have been outtakes from OK Computer or King Of Limbs while “I’m Not Me,” with it’s reckless pianos, brings late period The Beatles to mind. The disc closes on one of the strongest tracks, “I Had It Coming,” blending acoustic guitar, piano, and wild percussion with repetitive wordplay in a dream-like haze that leaves the listener wanting more.
In a perfect world, every indie disc would use Milk Famous as a blueprint. Creative, compelling, and a swirling blend of synth and quirky guitar work, there’s a familiar energy here yet still with an identity that firmly belongs to only White Rabbits. The band really knows how to channel their playful moodiness into song, and if there’s any justice in the world, one day Natalie Portman will be remarking that White Rabbits, well, they could change your life, too.