The Bundles

Though Kimya Dawson and Jeffrey Lewis are rather like peanut butter and chocolate (good friends, purveyors of the punky “anti-folk” scene, talented writers of sharp, funny lyrics), it took nearly a decade for the duo to actually produce a record together. If you’re familiar with Lewis or Dawson (or Dawson’s work with the Moldy Peaches), you know what to expect here: shambling, primitive pop with lots of strummed guitar and crashing cymbals, flatly delivered lyrics that blur the boundary between insightful and juvenile with surprising ease. Their energetic moments shine — “Pirates Declare War” roils on a snare drum, serpentine keyboard melody, and jangly tambourine and guitar, flavored with the edge and charm of early Modern Lovers — but who can resist the warbling sweet side? Clanking percussion and twinkly piano nudge along lyrics like, “If I were the one you wanted me to be, I’d not be the one I am,” on “Be Yourself,” and the strummy “Over The Moon” ends with the rousing chorus, “I just want to sing with my friends,” which probably sums up The Bundles as well as anything.