often think of music categorically, placing different bands (and genres) in columns headed by my friend’s typical tastes. Using this system, I make tapes that appeal to whatever perceived interest they have. There are a few problems with this, however- a few bands which everyone has some sort of indefinite opinion about. Aloha is the most noticeable of these.

After lengthy discussion with one friend, he informed me of his decision to place Aloha in his own personal list of bands he would never listen to again, obviously unimpressed by Aloha’s fusion of indie rock and something that borders the lines of “smooth” or “easy” jazz-esque type music (referring to themselves as “fake jazz“, with the requisite vibraphone). Although he only heard their first albumThat‘s Your Fire (one cold day while sitting in a church parking lot. Perhaps he connected the two in his anti-religious, and generally anti indie rock mind), the second suits him quite well, I have come to find.

The largest selling point of the band for him is the use of non-traditional instruments and time signature throughout much of the album. And though Aloha choose to experiment a bit more with sound structure and dynamic (most notably in “It Won’t Be Long” and “Protest Song”, the first consisting solely of voice, some sort of guitar loop and bass guitar. The second is constructed from guitar loops and distorted drum loops), Sugar still has a similar affect as That‘s Your Fire, creating a backdrop for nostalgia. The lyrics seem to contain a quality of childhood dream to them, hinting at memories and experience that are specific to the lyricist, but generally are reminders to the listening audience of times past and what it is to experience life purely.

Musically, Aloha create moods through their lyrics, which is highly influenced by the instrumental backdrop. Most of the 10 songs retain the cleverness of their previous album: arranging songs in an order which implies that songwriting was more of a conscious effort than simply “letting things flow” during a few practices prior to recording (the latter wouldn't necessarily make things less interesting). The individual songs themselves work surprisingly well, particularly those in which the “unusual” instruments are present (a number of percussive instruments, moog, assorted synthesizer, piano and vibraphone et cetera. I'm sure there‘s much more than that.) all creating that aural “softness” in which I associate much jazz related (influenced) music.

Ultimately, what changed my friend’s mind wasn't a reevaluation of personal belief, but (whether he would choose to admit this or not) the fact that Aloha is innovative. Perhaps they aren't the most creative band playing music, but certainly interesting enough to convert him, the detractor.