Days Away

Liberated from their commitments to Fueled By Ramen in late 2006, it looked like Days Away would be free to pursue their increasingly intellectual pop-driven rock illuminations without regard for commercial pressures or Wentz-ian promo appearances. Instead, the band dissolved last year, leaving this single-pressing EP of varied leftovers as their epitaph. Fortunately, it does the many elements of Days Away justice, showcasing Keith Goodwin’s warm, welcoming tones and sun-dried bedroom poetry against his band mates’ strolling musical movements and pensive strum-alongs. "Wish” is a buoyant, thinking man’s pop rocker, while "Talk It Over” balances ’80s AM radio rock with post-emo pensiveness. The disc also features two versions of the quietly compelling, and entirely contagious, acoustic number "I’m Sorry I Told You All My Problems,” which are well worth a download. Goodwin and drummer Tim Arnold will debut Castles, their newest project, later this year. For now, Ear Candy For The Headphone Trippers is a beautiful, if bittersweet, siren song for an unappreciated band gone too soon.