The Texas band Why Bonnie have finally released their debut full-length after an EP and a few other things. And, thankfully, 90 in November, out now, is even more fully-realized and robust than the group's earlier efforts. Centered around the vocals and songs of Blair Howerton, the music of Why Bonnie owes debts to acts as disparate as Sparklehorse and Sheryl Crow, but it also stands on its own.
The woozy "Galveston" has a vibe like The Lemonheads, even as "Sailor Mouth", the opener on 90 in November lurches forward like some mix of Angel Olsen and late-era Replacements. Howerton's wise enough to structure these cuts around her vocals, which seem to work most effectively on slow-burners like "Hot Car", though there's some variety here too. "Sharp Turn" has a really lovely lilt to its melody, and I'd have liked to have heard even more like that. But that's not a criticism, because Why Bonnie have really succeeded here in crafting a sound that's all their own, while being built out of familiar pieces from worthy points of inspiration. Fans of Rilo Kiley, and all the other bands I referenced above should eat this album up with a spoon.
90 in November by Why Bonnie is out now.
[Photo: Grace Pendleton]