Japanese Motors

On this debut, new Vice signees Japanese Motors bring a West coast laidback-ness to their party-surf-garage tunes. Things get underway at a good clip, with "Single Fins and Safety Pins” and "Regrets A Paradise” setting an impressive tone not unlike a couple of cheery Strokes number. But really, that’s all you’ll get. While admittedly fun and buoyant, this is road trip rock designed to elicit dashboard tapping and occasional singing along. Now and again, they’ll come up with something exceptionally sharp, like the nonchalant commentary on hipsterdom that is "Spendin’ Days,” but there’s good reason to doubt the shelf life of this album, although it’s certainly worth dusting off for the odd beachside party.