Elvyn

It's been quite some time — five years, to be precise, since their EP, The Big Bay, and eight since full-length debut Ten Car Stereo — since anyone's heard from Peterborough, ON quartet Elvyn. But on The Decline, they come back with a vengeance, offering 11 tracks that deftly blend Crazy Horse ragged glory with pure power pop craftsmanship. While that balance has always been the basis of the band's sound, The Decline presents it in an entirely fresh setting. The guitar interplay between Ryan Beerman and Jeremy Knibbs is warm and fuzzy, while Beerman's harmonies with drumming brother Joel are consistently spot on and shimmering. The overall effect is not far removed from Teenage Fanclub, circa Grand Prix, and songs like the re-recorded version of "The Big Bay" only improve with each listen. This is a fine summer record.