We All Have Hooks for Hands

“The Shape of Energy”
(Afternoon Records)
They have hooks, all right, but not on their hands. The bouncing, infectious guitars on this Sioux Falls sextet’s sophomore disc are immediate yet restrained--jangling as if they’re carrying each tune on their back--as WAHHFH splits the difference between pop-rock meant for a tiny club and a big stadium. They’re anthemic and intimate, sweet and soaring, like a combination of My Morning Jacket and Band of Horses … if Why?’s Yoni Wolf took on lead vocals with a bunch of pals as a supporting chorus. Horns appear in just the right place on tracks like the sweet “Be Love, Be Wild” and the escalating “California.” This is the sort of indie disc you pass along to friends, bring in the car, crank up while pre-drinking, and, generally, can listen to whenever, wherever. Though the hovering vocals can be hard to understand, you can’t help wanting to sing along anyway.

Posted Nov. 16 by Matt Pais

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