Matt Costa's sophomore effort, Unfamiliar Faces, finds the singer/songwriter delving into similar territory to his 2006 debut,
Songs We Sing, crafting hummable, somewhat intricate AM pop-influenced tracks. As with other similarly inclined artists like
Josh Rouse,
Costa trades in a kind of grab bag, post-alternative rock singer/songwriter style that references '80s British icons like
Morrissey and
the Cure as much as it does classic singer/songwriter and sunshine pop touchstones like
Todd Rundgren,
Brian Wilson,
Jackson Browne, and others. A pleasant presence on record,
Costa's vocal style does bring to mind a mix of
the Shins'
James Mercer and
the Decemberists'
Colin Meloy, and admittedly his odd penchant for affecting a British accent is a bit annoying -- he's from California for gosh sake. That said, tracks like "Mr. Pitiful" and "Cigarette Eyes" are immediately catchy and radio-ready singles that display
Costa's obvious knack for Brit-pop-inspired songcraft. Similarly, such atmospheric and melancholy affairs as the very
Smiths-sequel "Vienna" and countryish "Never Looking Back" are affecting and moving ballads perfect for the afterglow set. ~ Matt Collar