Drops: Second album from Tennis, anyone?

By GLENN GAMBOAglenn.gamboa@newsday.comFebruary 10, 2012

If Tennis' debut, "Cape Dory," last year was a small experiment that had surprise success, its sophomore album, "Young & Old" (Fat Possum), is what it sounds like when the Denver trio develops a plan.

Singer Aliana Moore has one of those sweet, effortless voices that immediately conjures up oceanside daydreams and carefree sunny days -- like her contemporaries Bethany Cosentino of Beth Coast and Dee Dee from Dum Dum Girls. Tennis guitarist Patrick Riley sounds fascinated with the '60s, bouncing between the Beach Boys and Motown.

Together, they build something that sounds new but feels familiar. The first single, "Origins," sounds like Brenda Lee joining the Beach Boys, only streamlined for 21st century fans -- with Moore's vocals crisp and sassy and Riley's guitars hazy and drenched in reverb. On the jaunty "Traveling" and the Motown rave-up "High Road," Tennis adds a layer of organ that makes them sound like The Zombies, while still nurturing an innocent pop melody as undeniable as something from the movie "That Thing You Do."

The combination of new and retro on "Young & Old" is similar to the one forged by The Black Keys, which makes sense considering the Keys' drummer, Patrick Carney, produced Tennis this time out. Tennis also seems to share the less-is-more aesthetic, using a small number of instruments to build an impressive, timeless wall of sound. Maybe Tennis will land some Black Keys-size success as well.