Since 2010, it seemed that Pete Yorn had been laying low. Little did anyone know that he had teamed up with J.D. King to form the Olms? Last week, they released their self-titled debut. The Olms is a beautiful album of 1960’s west coast-flavored pop and folk filled with layers of lush Byrds-style harmonies that enrich this extremely likeable collection of songs. The opening track “On The Line” gets the time machine rolling. The song is reminiscent of the Strawberry Alarm Clock’s “Incense and Peppermints”, especially with its vintage organ and the way the cowbell is used. The melancholy (but eventually happy) “Someone Else’s Girl” is the best song on the album with it’s catchy “while I wait” chorus and pretty harmonies. It is infectious and will get stuck in your head, but in a good way. The whole album is pretty strong, but other standouts are the Monkees-ish “Twice As Nice”, the country western “She Said No” and Yorn’s “Wanna Feel It”. Of all the songs on the album, “Wanna Feel It” sounds the most modern and is probably the most accessible to fans of Yorn’s solo work. His music has always had always shown a deep respect and knowledge of 60s and 70s rock music. However, by teaming up with King, the two have really embraced the music of the 60s and created something special.

Essential tracks: “Some Else’s Girl” “Twice As Nice” & “I Wanna Feel It”