The Modern Skirts’ second full-length, All of Us in Our Night, bridges the gap between ‘70s AM gold and early ‘90s modern rock – which isn’t surprising once you take a look at the album credits and see that the producers assembled for the disc include David Lowery (Camper Van Beethoven, Cracker, Counting Crows) and Mike Mills (R.E.M., duh). It probably goes without saying that none of All of Us resonates as strongly as the best work from any of the above-named bands – heck, maybe not even strongly enough to remain lodged in your memory banks after the disc is finished playing – but none of it sucks, and in some places (particularly the brightly loping “Radio Breaks”), it hints at a brighter future for the young Athens outfit. Not greatness, perhaps, but why get greedy? This is a dozen-song set that hearkens back to a simpler, more innocent time, and even if its chances of ending up on your year-end best-of list are rather slim, it’ll help you while away a few bitter winter weeks hearkening back to a simpler, more innocent time. If you need a little more jangle and/or gentle, sunny harmonies in your musical diet, look no further. (self-released 2009)
