The Earlies

The Earlies

The Enemy Chorus (Secretly Canadian/Names)

When Texas and England butt heads, you get a struggle between psych-phonic and electronic. The Earlies, former Texans Brandon Carr and JM Lapham and Brits Giles Hatton and Christian Madden, are indeed combative on this sophomore effort, an unwieldy amalgamation of American pop and British mood. On opener "No Love in Your Heart," the violins lead, then the synth floats in, lending a prog vibe that permeates much of Chorus. "Burn the Liars," a piano-bop swept up by Carr, lets the harmonies shine, though it's hard to tell where the next song starts, vocals and drum beats melting into a swirling vortex. The funky horns announcing "Foundation and Earth" fare better as intro to their most infectious pop effort, and closer "Breaking Point" offers a sitar freak-out reminiscent of the Beatles' "Love You To." There's wandering to endure, but if you can find the hook, let it grab you.