Troubles of the Brain

The son of Barry Andrews (XTC, Shriekback), it’s easy to excuse the Veils’ frontman Finn Andrews for fully embracing a 1980s sound. “Bloom” opens their 2011 *Troubles of the Brain* EP with a driving post-punk inspired ditty that takes the genre’s road less traveled by leaning more on a gentle approach than an aggressive attack. “Don’t Let the Same Bee Sting You Twice” warbles with a more natural resonance — somewhat similar to Violent Femmes’ eponymous 1983 debut, though this time around Andrews approximates Devendra Banhart’s early impressions of Marc Bolan. “The Stars Came Out Once the Lights Went Out” sparkles with more originality proving to be the catchiest tune here, especially once those barbed guitar arpeggios dance with sweeping synth lines under a mantra of pounding piano keyboard notes. “Grey Lynn Park” recalls Echo & The Bunnymen’s penchant for pulling sunny melodies out of silver England skies while “Us Godless Teenagers” is a beautifully moody acoustic based ballad that sounds incredibly intimate — as though Andrews is in your personal space delivering a private performance.

Listen to any song on the Veils' debut album, The Runaway Found, and it becomes glaringly apparent why they were initially signed to legendary UK record...