The interwoven guitars and keyboards almost sound scientific on You Me & Iowa’s The Adventures of Me You and Iowa. In contrast to many of the sound waves undulating my ear drums lately, this quintet is proof that pop-rock can be rather intelligent and inventive, without the fear of being over-produced. They do not shy away from the occasional production trick, but their articulate musicianship transcends the deceptive ‘studio veil’ that more and more musicians cloak themselves with as technology evolves. This is music for the optimist: someone who either already boasts pep in their step or desires to become one of the Peppy-step Peeps (copyright: me). The beats themselves are happy. How can a beat be happy, you say? Just listen. The final track, “Make Your Home,” exhibits the band’s creativity most beautifully. Although still cohesively linked to the rest of the album, it experiments with a few more instruments. At certain points the song sounds like it could make an appearance on Sponge Bob, which elevated it to a catastrophic new height for me—it’s probably the slide guitar that did it. Despite being only eight tracks in length, The Adventures of You Me and Iowa bursts with exuberant color and charm. Ingredients for this album: brains, coordination, art, happy.

MP3: You Me & Iowa – Make Your Home (Smell Delicious)