Here's a fine surprise from Colorado. Forgive me for dealing first in some comparisons; it's necessary, because the band seems to have sculpted its songs instead of simply composing them. What we have here, I'd say, is an extremely-pleasing, jazzy mix of The Velvet Underground and Mercury Rev, with ample doses of Rollerskate Skinny, Pavement, Photek (trust me) and Beat Happening. On a few songs, you're reminded of Soul Coughing, but Soul Coughing were never this experimental, and they were a bit more polished, for better or worse. If all of these bands combined and broke down their sound to a sort of "indie soul-hop" (Whitey on the Moon's description, not mine), this might be the result. Did I mention that this CD is excellent?

Each song is an original, musical journey into cool new spaces. Utilizing a mastery of just about every imaginable instrument from moogs to cellos, the band explores a sort of chaotic-yet-controlled confusion-rock style. The lyrics are consistently challenging and never awkward...in spite of their beat-poetic leanings. Band members propel the songs down exuberant musical valleys, and virtually without fail each song makes its house a home in your soul.

Making their influences obvious, Whitey on the Moon take their name from a Gil Scott-Heron "song", while Special New Band would seem to be a reference to Pavement's "Cut Your Hair". I might be wrong about the Pavement connection but it certainly seems appropriate, as the lyrics frequently favor Malkmus-style semantic play. Either way, the vocals provide great imagery to go along with the jazz jumble. I picture the band playing ramshackle sets on subway platforms. Don't ask me why. I just do.

Special New Band suggests a band doing absolutely everything right and reaching their grand potential immediately. This is an extremely appealing release from a band that obviously gives a damn about making great music. If Whitey on the Moon continues along its current path, you should expect to hear a great deal more from them; I'd recommend discovering this CD on your own, before other hipsters do it for you.