CD Review

Building on a laid-back, beach vibe underscored by dub and reggae beats, Australian import The Beautiful Girls has shaped a mellow collection of electric roots music in We're Already Gone. Built upon a steady back-beat, sparing guitar work, and Mat McHugh's understated vocal presence, each composition functions as a groove rather than a fortified song structure. Verses roll above waxing and waning beats, cresting at times, then disappearing into the warm ether. Where this album falls short is in its production, with much of its life sucked into a studio vacuum. This isn't inherent in the songwriting or performance, but in the flat tone emitted throughout. Nevertheless, We're Already Gone's 11 tracks (plus one remix) bode well, pushing confidently into territory navigated by artists like G. Love and Special Sauce and Sublime. While those band's have sparked countless imitators, The Beautiful Girls offer a fresh voice for feel-good music.

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