The 88

The 88 have been hailed as one of the finest pop/rock/alternative bands in recent memory; a distinction proven all the more relevant by their superb new self-titled collection. The Los Angeles-based band has cooked up a modern take on their classic style. Swirling with chiming guitars, melodic bass, groovy keys, and rocking drums, The 88 grabs the listener at the first note and never lets go, from the organ-fueled album opener "Center of the Sun" to the shimmering beauty of "As Far As I Can See." Songs like "Automatic Brain" and lead single "They Ought -o See You Now" - the latter featuring guest vocals from the one and only Ray Davies - boast all the vitality and exuberance of a great rock 'n' roll band in full flight, brimming with both confidence and creativity. Founded in 2002 by high school pals Adam Merrin (piano/keys) and Keith Slettedahl (vocals/guitar), and solidified as a band with the addition of bassist Todd O'Keefe and drummer Anthony Zimmitti, The 88 made their bones on the Southern California indie scene, releasing two well-received albums. Toward the end of 2009, the band reconvened at their Highland Park practice space with no real agenda. New songs began to take shape, built organically around the band's distinctive interplay. Realizing that they were onto something, The 88 booked studio time at Grandmaster Recorders in Hollywood, with engineer/mixer Andrew Alekel (Weezer, Tool, Queens of the Stone Age) behind the board. The goal from the start was to preserve the spirit of the Highland Park sessions, with minimal overdubs and production trickery. To get into peak performance condition, the band rehearsed extensively, fine-tuning the arrangements so that they'd be more than prepared to hit the studio.