The Donkeys

On their self-titled debut, the Donkeys deliver clever alt-country that mixes together a surprising range of sounds to create a diverse and appealing album. From the slow, brooding sentiments of "Blood Hill” to the upbeat faux-disco instrumental "Lower the Heavens,” the San Diego-based group show good creative impulses and well-grounded musical skills. The band also have an inclination towards amusing lyrical twists that occasionally lead them to sound like a weirder version of the Silver Jews. Despite their seemingly wide influences, the Donkeys prove here that they’ve got a fine handle on harnessing disparate sounds to create a solidly focused record.