The Standard proffer what can best be described as spacy indie prog pop, a sound which dwells within the parameters of serious-minded whimsy for the most part, rife with melancholic melodies that impact mightily despite bearing an almost weightless quality. With only a couple of notable exceptions, such as the off-kilter thrashing guitar of "Behind the Screens,"
August is content to allow the listener to choose what instrument bears the most prominence. As such, some might immediately hear the dreamy keyboards on "The Five-Year Model," whereas others will no doubt latch onto the snaky bass; much as a great painting will inspire disagreement as to artistic intent, so can this disc. While the record never seems to crash under its own weight, the band could be better-served by adding more dynamic moments, as
August does tend to drag at times. Still, if this is the standard, the Standard have set the bar fairly high. ~ Brian O'Neill