Artist of the Day: The Alvin Band

I'm infatuated with The Alvin Band, probably because Rick Schaier really knows how to pick his influences well. Take the sugary highs from Animal Collective, and combine them with the vocal harmonies in which Kevin Barnes gleefully basks, and voila - you've got yourself a discography full of catchy statements.

Schaier stands out partly because of the eclectic instrumentation with which he associates himself. Whether the latest ingredient is a powerful electronic snare, an oddly filtered synth line or a cheesy sax solo, the pop musician always knows how to make his music stand out.

It also helps to have interesting concepts. The Alvin Band's latest album Rainbow Road is primarily Nintendo-themed, and the musician's adoration of videogames shines through his music's retro sentiments. As you may see it isn't an entirely serious undertaking, but rather is enjoyed best when taken with a grain of salt.

Check out "Shells" here:

And follow the Alvin Band on Facebook here!