Greg Wheeler and the Poly Mall Cops Slimephone Surveilance LP
With their goofy name and Rod Farva-esque drummer, GREG WHEELER AND THE POLY MALL COPS could easily have been another wacky garage knockoff. Instead, these innovative Iowans use the chicanery as a fun front for their layered and entertaining music, and this second LP demonstrates a smooth evolution to their subtly surfy sci-fi sound. It’s got a winning combination of classic candy riffs, buzzing energy, and infectious melody, but there’s also a tinge of chill early 2010s style like JACUZZI BOYS and WAVVES, which is another agreeable flavor. By the time we reach the closing “Your Quiet Charm,” the tide has turned entirely, leaving us with a sickly-sweet synth/acoustic indie ballad as a final surprise.