Modern Rituals

VINYL FORMAT. In 2008 the four members of Chief finished school, left New York City and returned home to the west coast with their suitcases stuffed full of soaring melodies, shimmering guitars, lovelorn lyrics and heart-stopping harmonies. Their debut album, Modern Rituals, is as rich and expansive as it is personal and intricate. This is a record so teeming with joyful desperation that you'll want to hold onto it with all your might. Modern Rituals is not only a radiant, cohesive and effortlessly captivating introduction to a formidable new band, it's a contender for most contagious album of the year. The band, Evan Koga (vocals/guitar), brothers Danny and Michael Fujikawa (on vocals/guitar and drums, respectively) and Mike Moonves (bass), evoke bright and heartfelt melancholy layered with classic rhythms and guitar sounds without being nostalgic. Written and recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Emery Dobyns, Modern Rituals has sunshine seeping through every note. But if California is emanating from every crevasse then the resulting sound is as universal and world wearied as it gets. The album is thematic in its tales of romantic disappointments, left lovers and floundering emotions and the band's musical touchstones include the great romantics: Love, The Beach Boys, Neil Young and The Band. Natural, timeless songwriting for times that change too quickly.