West Indian Girl : West Indian Girl : Review : Rolling Stone

At best, debut albums are often promising collections that hint at a band's potential. Then, every once in a while, a band comes out of leftfield and nails it on its first try. Such is the case here. This collection of sweepingly, sun-drenched sonic pop is one part early U2, one-part Jane's Addiction, one-part Electric Skychurch and 100 percent Southern California. Processed guitars, cascading keys and blissful melodies contribute to the starry, ascending quality of the record, while analog synths and melancholy harmonies keep the tunes from straying too far into a world of pretty irrelevance. Naming themselves after an intense strain of LSD, West Indian Girl's affinity for altered states is apparent throughout: "Slow down/You'll be alright/It's summertime/Let's trip tonight" goes the aptly titled opener "Trip." And while their lyrics aren't exactly inspired prose, this is a stunningly psychedelic first effort -- and hopefully one the band will be able to live up to.