For Play the Songs You Like, their third album for Salinas Records,
Radiator Hospital enlisted the help of Jeff Zeigler (
the War on Drugs,
Allison Crutchfield) in the studio. He gives their melodic, punk-infused love songs coherence but, thankfully, not unwanted refinement. A set of fast, clanging indie pop interspersed with just a few slower, sparer entries, the album races by despite a 16-song track list, given that only two of them clock in at over three minutes. Still energetic but more wistful, "Pastoral Radio Hit" has a standout vocal melody, while the brisker "Old Refrain" rides guitar hooks and thrashing drums as it tries to reel in an object of affection. Meanwhile, the jangly "Cheap Day," one of the album's slower tracks, plays like vintage power pop, and the ranting "The People at the Show" bangs out four beats per measure. They also change things up with "Half Empty," which features guitarist Cynthia Schemmer on the lead vocals, and "Heart of Darkness" is a solo ballad. However, nothing here seems even a hair out of place. Lead singer and songwriter Sam Cook-Parrott seems to be able to crank out these ringing, lovesick tributes to youthful affection, and established fans are almost certain to welcome Play the Songs You Like into their rotations. ~ Marcy Donelson