Let's cut to the chase: Hanalei sound like a B-grade Postal Service. We Are All Natural Disasters is the debut from Brian Moss, whose regular gig is in a Chicago post-punk band called the Ghost (not to be confused with the intense Japanese band Ghost). Moss mixes pretty little melodies plucked on an acoustic guitar, sappy sensitive-boy lyrics ("Come the springtime we will patch ourselves up/ Finding the remedy in the sun on the bare skin/ Blossoms, black coffee, and a black cat in the yard/ A better version of ourselves"), and electronic gizmos to create a completely bland, overwrought sound that I've heard a million times before. I didn't like then, nor do I now. The recording's decent and I can certainly see a lot of people digging this guy; but if you really wanted to stir my grits, Hanalei, you've got to put a little more effort into it, man! Simply carbon-copying a popular sound and taking it to the bank simply doesn't cut it with this reviewer. To be perfectly honest, the originals didn't cut it with me, so what's a distressed, sensitive rocker to do? You're asking the wrong guy. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is: sure, you might make a few bucks off of the musings of Mr. Gibbard and Tamborello, but at the end of the day, wouldn't that cute indie chick with the wireframe glasses and Makeout Club profile rather just put on the real deal?
1. Action Drum
2. Beacon In The Distance
3. Josh & Sarah's Belated Wedding Present
4. Smart Means Sick
5. Ashby Ashes
6. Hopeful Hands
7. Better Days
8. This Is Going To Be The Best Summer Ever
9. Anza Ninety Three
10. Derailment At Six Flags
11. John Hughes Endings
12. Eulogy 1. Action Drum
2. Beacon In The Distance
3. Josh & Sarah's Belated Wedding Present
4. Smart Means Sick
5. Ashby Ashes
6. Hopeful Hands
7. Better Days
8. This Is Going To Be The Best Summer Ever
9. Anza Ninety Three
10. Derailment At Six Flags
11. John Hughes Endings
12. Eulogy
More about: Hanalei
