Running from the Blows

*Running From The Blows* is all over the rock ‘n’ roll map, making stops in punk snarl, sardonic post-punk, and The Smiths-esque indie pop spiked with woozy synth riffs. The result is a debut filled with dark shimmer, exuding a hypnotic haze (“Firewalking”), no-frills guitar muscle (“Lobby Talks”), and warped vibes (“Silverlake Goths”). But the infectious power pop bop of “Suburban Girlfriend” and classic shoegaze guitar of “Visions / Revisions” both conjure the sunshine of the band’s native California.

A refreshing bit of beach gloom, Adult Books cast a hazy shadow from Los Angeles' generally sunnier Burger and Lollipop records mecca.