Having lamented the breakup of Philadelphia's Lenola, it's good to see guitarist/vocalist Jay Laughlin back with a new quintet, roping in bandmate Dave Grubb (not
David Grubbs of
Squirrel Bait, Bastro, and
Gastr del Sol) for keyboards and guitar. Laughlin hasn't lost affection for infectious, energetic music with '60s pop melodies, either -- he's just jiggered the form. His new electronic and loopy keyboards are just seasonings;
Where's My Golden Arm? is mostly acoustic-based baroque pop with new wave spices that make it more quirky than retro hippie pop, which works. In fact, when Laughlin grabs the electric and lets fly with the new wave power pop of the standout "Night Person" or "Time Stands Still,"
Like a Fox briefly sound like a fresh-faced
Cars with
Ben Gibbard singing instead of
Ric Ocasek. Prepare to sing along. ~ Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover