Phantom Planet
California

Phantom Planet have a drummer called Jason Schwartzman. Now, the more film-minded amongst you will recall that he was the fella from 'Rushmore'. Right, now that stupid little fact is out of the way, lets discuss one of the most genuinely charming records of the year.

'California' opens with the kind of piano line that Pavement used to specialise in and lead singer Alex Greenwald has more than a touch of the Malkmus about him. But there’s so much more going on here, this is such a gorgeously breezy record, with it's strumming acoustics and jangly electric guitar interludes.

"California here we come, right back we started from", Greenwald sings with all the earnestness and ease of a happy Ryan Adams.

'California' is full of intelligent curves and surprising hooks. Imagine Pavement weaned on sincerity in lieu of irony, or Weezer embracing adulthood over adolescence. Out-of-this-world good.