In Parallel

The debut full-length by Extra Arms is a pinpoint example of the strengths and weaknesses of 21st century indie rock, at once a big-sounding and well-played effort that feels like so many other such efforts it's hard to distinguish it from a lot of other work out there. Bandleader Dave Yang's sweet falsetto and the guitar work by himself and lead guitarist Matt Haar all do the business well enough, as is evident from the opening "Best Disguise Is No Disguise," but aside from a little bit of instrumental subtlety in the break it's more remarkable how typical such a performance can be — post-U2, post-Arcade Fire, post-Flaming Lips, post-everything it seems — rather than how remarkable it aims to be. In Parallel continues from there, aiming large because at such a time many bands can aim large — no gated snares but they're not needed when you can apply all the echo you need or want. Extra Arms' best quality lies in how they can maintain a certain sonic closeness regardless of all the amping up and aiming outward, but it's not quite enough to carry everything along. There's a little more enjoyable guitar power on songs like "Finality" and "Leave the Ones That Left," the latter actually building up some big doomy downward moments toward the end. Beyond that, though, In Parallel is vaguely admirable rather than truly notable.