Pass the Ringo

Bands working in San Francisco's shadow in the East Bay rarely have an easy time of it. But in recent years, the Oakland area has sprouted a number of notable artists to keep an eye on, including Legs. A noise-edged pop band with hints of shoegaze and C86 pop ancestry, Legs make a clear statement with this impressive debut. A jangle is as good as a whir, and reverb is always welcome, especially with the melancholic vocals of Amelia Adams and Jeffrey Harland. Shades of classic Flying Nun bands like Straightjacket Fits and The Chills are also prominent; the co-founder of Legs, Matt Bullimore, is a New Zealand native. That label's trademark propulsive vibe drives "Go Ask Your Mother" and "Thirteen Stories," and a Kiwi-pop jangle courses through songs like "Two Colours." "Friday Afternoon at the Zoo" is a dead ringer for a Rain Parade track. But even after all that's said, Legs make it all sound fresh and wholly their own. "Don't Say a Word" and "Time to Face the World" are bristling, brambly pop songs that lift the spirit and inspire smiles.