Aluminum Babe’s sophomore record, Vit.ri.fied, is a case study in musical development. Where the band’s debut showed promise, the material didn’t stray much from by-the-numbers garage pop, grown stale nearly a decade ago. However, with Vit.ri.fied, Aluminum Babe have elevated themselves from a cookie-cutter band to something far more ethereal, haunting, and ultimately, original. Vit.ri.fied opens with “I Don’t Wanna Be Loved,” a percussive, melodic track that immediately begs for radio play. If ever there was a band tailor made for both mainstream and college radio, Aluminum Babe is it.

Lest one imagine Vit.ri.fied as some sort of Abba-meets-Cardigans dance-fest, Aluminum Babe offers shades of their former garagy self on the blistering “Disease Contagious” and “Ca Plane Pour Moi.” However, those tracks are the exception to the infectious rule, as the majority of the album is indeed peppered with jittery beats, soaring melodies and meditative lyrcisim. If Aluminum Babe continues the growth they’ve exhibited on Vit.ri.fied, there will be absolutely no feasible excuse to ignore this band. – (7/10)
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