The Band in Heaven – Caught in a Summer Swell
Decades Records
★★★ (out of 5 stars)

Formed by two former Orlandoans, this West Palm Beach band has made some noise – both literal and figurative – through small releases on notable boutique labels (HoZac, Sonic Cathedral, NK Tapes). But their softened debut LP has buffed out much of the shoegaze static to give full Crocodiles-esque sun to the pop sensibility that’s always been at their core. The good news is that their vocals, previously a liability, are much improved. The bad is that they’ve relinquished some of their original thrill. But with crushed-out melodies and charming male-female trades on standouts like “Does It Show” and “Breaths,” this album’s warm heart rush washes over you like a blazing South Florida sunset.