The Close - Sun, Burn

Though still a relatively unknown band outside of the Atlanta underground, The Close has multiple releases under its belt, and Sun, Burn is the quintet’s third full-length. It’s a bit D.C. post-hardcore, but almost too clean and melodic to be pigeonholed into a scene with such an enormous umbrella. Pop music masquerading as art-rock (or is it the other way around?), the nine songs here push and pull against an adventurous, a-static background of rotating male/female vocals, jangly-yet-jagged guitars and basslines that surpass expectations. The meticulous, experimental nature of the group is a pervading force at work, canvassing every second of Sun, Burn. There’s a point where the technical headiness of the band forms a synergy with the hooks and harmonies, resulting in an album that’s not full-of-itself artsy, but isn’t going to get toes tapping on a first go-round. Maybe it’s too smart for that, or maybe that’s just not the goal—regardless, it’s baffling how the band isn’t bigger than it is. [www.goodnightrecords.com]