Thee Oh Sees – Castlemania

Oh, Oh Sees, how I love you. The first of two announced Oh Sees albums for 2011, Castlemania is the mellow summer record (sounding more like Dog Poison than Help!, if that gives you any idea). For the most part, it’s just Dwyer on everything with a guest here and there, making sunny budget-pop. The “throw every instrument into the backyard and hit ‘record’” feeling is strong, and while every song sounds upbeat, Dwyer throws in some darker, death-dealing lyrics. You know what you’re getting. They round out the end of the album with three covers: “I Won’t Hurt You” by West Coast Pop Experimental Band is spare and kind of spooky during the verses. It sounds like it was recorded on a steam-powered train. Their cover of Californian folk singer Norma Tanega’s “What Are We Craving?” manages to get the feeling of the ’60s grass-stained feet and flowers-in-their-hair down well. Their cover of Big Wheel’s “If I Stay Too Long” is sloppy, shimmering and pretty, and your ears will perk up in recognition when you hear it. If you’re into Thee Oh Sees’ thrashy-spastic brand of rock, there should be enough here to tide you over to the fall (you’ve been warned). For the Dwyer-faithful, you’ll gobble this right up. (In The Red, www.intheredrecords.com) Patrick Michalishyn