The Lincoln Log

What started as a motley crew of friends goofing around is now a band close to reaching the caliber of an international rockstardom. Within only a few months, this jolly foursome started appearing on bills with some of Los Angeles most beloved bands—well all this at least within the underground indie scene. With less than ten shows, they’ve already gotten themselves a reputation for energetic and exuberant performances.

Shortly thereafter they signed on to the esteemed Dim Mak Records (featuring the critically acclaimed British band Bloc Party on their roster). And now praised by critics everywhere, The Deadly Syndrome has a surplus of momentum, and a spirit, like that of Arcade Fire or Wolf Parade, to back it up.

In “I Hope I Become a Ghost,” the band musingly contemplates on the thought of being a ghost. In “Eucalyptus” they innocently drift around the unpleasantness of deforestation and the resulting presence of stumps. The lyrics are clever and insightful, yet they appropriately convey an insouciance that makes them seem trivial. Musically, the singer and bassist Chris Richard often sings with an addicting falsetto voice that sounds tastefully strained, yet no way whiney. Richard’s groovy bass lines and Mike Hughes’ free-spirited keyboard melodies, with the playful beats of drummer Jesse Hoy, often intermingle into a harmony of ridiculously catchy sounds. In “Emily Paints,” guitarist Will Etling turns it up and builds to a solo that left me grinning like an idiot. Exposure to The Deadly Syndrome probably won’t give you severe acute respiratory syndrome or something such; it will, however give you symptoms which include compulsive head bobbing. Their stunning debut album, The Ortolan, is out in stores now.

4.5 out of 5 stars