The Morning Benders’ 2008 debut, Talking Through Tin Cans, was a good album of catchy folk, but it suffered from a lack of production and an overly simple style that kept it from reaching the ears of the masses. For Big Echo, their sophomore release, they brought along Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear to co-produce, to fantastic results. Big Echo shares none of the drawbacks of its predecessor and has a lasting quality that keeps it interesting and refreshing over repeated listens. The Morning Benders are set to come out of obscurity and take the indie rock world by storm in 2010.

Opener “Excuses” has The Morning Benders achieving what every contemporary Beach Boy- loving band has tried to do. The ‘50s style romance that plays out through the song’s vocal harmonies and relaxed, dream-like melody will make you wish for a sunset and beach chairs for two. Next up “Promises” is genius in low-key fashion, with a chorus that is gripping and just dramatic enough to grab and hold your attention without being annoying. Built on the foundation of a simple riff, “Promises” could be the perfect mutual breakup song. These are just the first two singles released from Big Echo, and I’d be impressed with the record even if they were all it had to offer. This isn’t that kind of record, though, and “Wet Cement” excellently eases the album into a dreamy slower pace. The quiet harmony in the chorus is one of the most simple and beautiful moments on the record. The fluid transitions and changes of pace continue with “Cold War,” beginning with the strumming of an acoustic guitar and ending with an addictive chorus. “Pleasure Sighs” brings back the vocal harmonizing, a technique The Morning Benders have gotten very, very good at. Its simple happiness makes “Pleasure Sighs” a quick break from the drama, and will put a relaxed smile on your face.

I don’t want to say that this is where the album gets worse, but the second half of “Big Echo” does have fewer blow-you-away moments, though at this point a break from being knocked out of your seat shouldn’t be so unwelcome. “Hand Me Downs” doesn’t do much to excite until about a minute before the end of the song, when the melody speeds up and some gorgeous singing brings it to a good finish. “Mason Jar” lacks the clear direction of some of the earlier songs, but its spacey reverb and excellent drumming make it, like every other track on Big Echo, completely worth your continued listen. Even when “All Day Day Light” starts to feel a little cheesy, the music accompanying the chorus keeps it entertaining. The creeping beauty of “Stitches” is one of the most impressive parts of the record. “Stitches” builds up over five minutes into a gorgeous harmony that leads flawlessly into “Sleeping In,” the dreamy closing song that just might be the best lullaby I’ve ever heard.

Big Echo could be one of the best records of 2010. The Morning Benders are definitely a band to watch. I feel a little strange getting this excited about an largely unknown band that’s still playing small venues, but at the pace they’re going at they won’t be unknown for long.

Track List:
1. Excuses
2. Promises
3. Wet Cement
4. Cold War
5. Pleasure Sighs
6. Hand Me Downs
7. Mason Jar
8. All Day Day Light
9. Stitches
10. Sleeping In