INOUK /// NO DANGER /// SAY HEY ///

The first time I tossed on No Danger, I was driving my parents' car in suburban Massachusetts after midnight on winding, dark roads along the river with a full moon shining, windows down and Camel Lights at the ready. If at all possible, I would suggest the same for anyone's premiere spin of Inouk's first LP. Admittedly, I approached the record with a bit of prejudice, stemming from my complete confusion about my feelings for the band after seeing their baffling live show.

After spending some quality time with No Danger, I'm left with two questions: Who are Mr. and Mrs. McMahon and what the hell is in their record collection? My money is on the Hair soundtrack, the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds and possibly a bootleg copy of Smile, Simon and Garfunkle's Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, The Rolling Stones' Beggars Banquet, Jefferson Airplane's Surrealistic Pillow, and some sort of "Sea Shanties for Lovers" compilation. That is the only explanation for the style of music Inouk frontmen Damon and Alexander McMahon produce on No Danger.

The best piece of advice I can give about No Danger, other than the midnight driving thing, is don't give up on this record. While opening strong with "What I Want" and the title track, there is a solid block in the middle of songs that are hard to make it through. Admittedly, I have some serious issues with overactive vibrato, and Damon's warble tries my nerves. Though Inouk's lack of irony is refreshing, sometimes the unabashed whistling, overactive, ridiculously crisp bass lines and extended My Morning Jacket-esque jams get a bit much. But don't give up. "Somewhere in France" is fantastically precious, marrying the vocal styles of Secret Machines with the acoustic guitar-driving rhythm of the Old 97s' best songs, and from there on you're golden. "Island" is a welcome return to a more rocking sound missing after the first two tracks, "Cherry Orchard" has some of the best brother on brother harmony on the record and "Victory" has actual hand clapping. Even though it features the line "Long before our voyage was done/ Many of us would have become one with the 0cean," (seriously), this song is the first time you feel like the McMahon brothers might actually be fun to drink with.

Christen Thomas