Umpire

Add Date: July 5 

Artist: Umpire 

Album: Now We're Active 

Label: Hidden Shoal 

Genre: Indie rock 

Comments: Now We're Active is the debut by the longstanding Australian indie supergroup Umpire. It's taken a while for them to reach the States, but their album has been worth the wait. The high vocals, nimble guitar playing, and subdued drum sets are pleasant, and the massive guitar riffs on "The Canyon" make the album perk up when you're in need of a perk-up. While the band's sound may bring to mind other soft rock ensembles, Now We're Active still is a nice listen.

Tracks 1, 4, 5, 7 and 10 are keepers.