For whatever reason, the opening chords of “Marianne” remind me of a John Hughes movie. I think this is partially for technical reasons and a lot because of the nostalgic nature of California Wives’ sound and lyrics. The difference, of course, being that while Hughes made movies revolving around the height of youth, California Wives’ debut album Art History is chalk full of songs about leaving it behind.
Their sound is a distinct mix of classic alternative rock and a more modern electronic sound. The vocals are soft and lull you into an almost dream-like state, which means it may take a few listens for you to fully grasp the lyrics. Nevertheless, the dream state is conducive to the idea of remembering how things once were, which gels well with the story of the formation of the band. Lead singer Jayson Kramer gave up a promising chance at medical school to pursue his music more seriously, a choice that was more than validated when he joined up with his fellow band members in 2009. Since its release, Art History has been meeting a wide range of success, so much so that Time magazine has named California Wives a “Band to Watch” this month.
Overall, Art History is a great first album. While for my personal taste the songs could use a bit more variation, it is at the same time clear that they all carry a genuine amount heart and thoughtfulness. These were not songs written for the sake of being written, but instead carefully put together to create a reflection on the band. If you’re looking for other nostalgic standouts on the album, check out “Purple” and “Blood Red Youth.”