South Florida's lawless exotic rental car industry keeps rolling.
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The influence of Brian Wilson looms large on the record, both in the instrumentation and in the somber, wide-eyed lyrics. Opening track (and highlight) "Dammit Anna," even features a percussion break cribbed from the Beach Boys' "I'm Waiting for the Day." This shouldn't come as a surprise considering that Pet Sounds is a universal high-water mark for bedroom pop-players, and the Berkeley quartet handles its influence deftly. Perhaps what distinguishes Boarded Doors from the slew of other Wilson-aspirants is the marriage of a youthful outlook with Brill Buildinglike melodies. The songs evoke exuberance and melancholic introspection without drowning in sonic ambition. John Garmon