Winter has a way of dragging along… a way of trapping us in her ongoing, colorless frigidity. Longing for an escape from the drabness, I have been rescued by the band The Soft Pack. The Los Angeles garage-punk rockers from San Diego issue a reminder that summer is just around the corner with their first full length, self-titled album release. Formerly known as The Muslims, this California quartet quickly changed their name due to the “ignorant and racist” comments made at concerts and the general public disdain associated with the unfounded connotation. Now free to focus on their music more than their band name, The Soft Pack has put together a beach-based album that combines aspects of The Strokes, Ted Leo and The Pharmacists and Brian Jonestown Massacre. Never overly technical or over produced, this album comes at you with one purpose in mind: Lets have fun with this and see where it goes.

The track that stands out immediately on this album is “Answers to Yourself,” with an instantly catchy guitar riff that is mirrored by a dirty rhythm guitar chord progression. Both guitars sync well in harmony rather than jockeying for song dominance, even towards the end of the song when the lead guitar showcases an erratic guitar solo that is off the charts. This same pattern is seen again in “Pull Out” only this time the guitars feel messier, but the organ used in the bridge serves well to clean it all up. All the while the guitars are keeping busy on each and every track, lead singer Matt Lamkin croons with a disaffected, near whiny voice. His coarsely cynical lyrics on top of such lighthearted music provide an awkwardly ironic complement that finds a way to make perfect sense.

Upbeat from start to finish, each track offers a different twist on a familiar sound while following a tried and true formula that has been the staple of rock and roll for decades. The Soft Pack is an easy listen and more importantly all around good fun. If you have been feeling the dismal sting of winter this album could be your escape. It just might giver you the hope necessary to push through to Spring; I know it has helped me see the light.