Shiny Toy Guns — We Are Pilots

It'd be far too easy to dismiss this Los Angeles quartet as just another MySpace success story. Even before their major-label backing, they were one of the most popular indie bands on the ubiquitous website. But there are a few flaws to this notion. For one, the Shinys work ridiculously hard (they claim to be "on tour forever" and, judging by their insane travel itinerary, it's likely true). Second, their debut album is a truly phenomenal work. All style and substance, the band veer between frantic, synth-soaked tracks such as "Jackie Will Save Me" and the soft effervescence of "Waiting" with a cohesiveness that never wavers. Even darkly danceable first single "Le Disko," played like crazy all over alternative radio, never fails to sound fresh every time it comes on. We Are Pilots is a stunning, absolutely vital release from a band who deserve to be loved by both 14-year-old emo-goth kids and jaded indie hipsters alike.

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