Altered Zones

Hailing from Italy's most indie-rich college town, the Bologna-based sextet A Classic Education makes warm indie-pop that is homespun but precise, combining a ‘50s Spector pop influence with Malkmus-tinged vocals in a way that miraculously sounds sprightly, timeless, and fresh-- not tired. Woods drummer Jarvis Taveniere was surprised when the band tapped him, from over 5,000 miles away, for time at his home studio, Rear House, but the pairing was perfect. Recorded in Brooklyn last October, A Classic Education’s debut album Call it Blazing sounds quintessentially home-fi, fitting in well alongside Rear House recording alums like Widowspeak and Real Estate. Blazing leans more heavily than those bands on the catchy, up-tempo verses of its frontman Jonathan Clancy, encompassing a full spectrum of styles-- from sweet dance-pop ("Baby It's Fine") to Afro-tinged pop ("Billy's Gang Dream") and dreamy waltz ("Night Owl"). --Jenn Pelly, Altered Zones

MP3: A Classic Education: "Grave Bird"

Call It Blazing comes out October 25th from Lefse Records