Real Estate - Reality (Mexican Summer)

Last year's self-titled debut by Real Estate was loved by many, including here at Skeletons & Candy. Even though it was a late year release, it managed to land on quite a few year-end top 10 list. So the band's new ep "Reality" was received with much anticipation. Unfortunately "Reality" sounds more like a stop gap ep, even though no gap exists yet that would require the band to put out just any old thing.

Comprised of six tracks, "Reality" doesn't really take off until the second half. The first three tracks all bear the band's often charming laid back approach, but aren't developed enough. What made Real Estate's debut so striking was though it sounded effortless, closer inspection revealed it to be a carefully crafted album played by a band dedicated to its execution, even though the members often maintain solo and side projects whose priority may or may not be above their work in Real Estate. The first half of "Reality" sounds effortless alright, but not in a good way. "Basement" comes close to dazzling, but in the end sounds like an slightly above average Yo La Tengo rip-off.

Thankfully, the second half of "Reality" makes up for the lackluster first half. "Saturday Morning" is a nice foray into Ducktails' territory, guitarist Matthew Mondanile's solo project. "Dumb Luck" could have fit in nicely on the band's debut. As with the best Real Estate, the song is a combination of laid back bliss and rousing rock. The real highlight here though is the phenomenal "Younger Than Yesterday," which is one of the band's best songs to date. Eschewing the sun-kissed mellowness that characterizes many of their songs, the band introduces a more rocking, slightly darker vibe here. Hopefully there will be more of this kind of sound in the future.

In the end, "Reality" has some real highlights and some real no lights. "Younger Than Yesterday" and "Dumb Luck" would have made for a 7" to die for, but taken as a whole the ep is little more than filler to be consumed while we await the band to follow up their brilliant debut. If the second half of "Reality" is any indication, it should be another year-end topper.


"Younger Than Yesterday" Live