The Postmarks - The Postmarks (Unfiltered Records) The Postmarks are a Miami threesome with a female vocalist called, er, Tim and a strategically-rendered sound pitching them straight into the broken hearts and sobbing eyes of anyone with a fondness for twee indie pop. So, whilst there are nods to French pop and the likes of Burt Bacharach and Brian Wilson on this debut, more recent reference points spring more immediately to mind - Belle And Sebastian, Sarah Records, Saint Etienne at their most insecure and, most glaringly, Swedish twee-pop duo Club 8. Occasionally their morose Gallicism (the vocals are sighed rather than sung) makes you think of a less electronic Stereolab or even Broadcast. The instrumentation is all cute glock and chimes, Smithsian guitars, chiming pianos, chocolatey strings and horns; any deviancy from this proves welcome - see 'The Summers Never Seem To Last', wherein a theremin unexpectedly pops up, adding charm. 'Know Which Way The Wind Blows' meanwhile shows off their lounge-core talents, coming on like a blissfully happy and relaxed Portishead gone 60s chamber pop. Whilst this is an endearing album in many ways and a promising debut, it's let down by a lack of defining moments and any real killer pop-ness (not helped by the shy vocals which only seem to convey one emotion). The Postmarks have a long way to go before they're making songs as melodic as those of their influences. The single, 'Goodbye', is the most memorable thing here, but aside from that, it remains a pretty and inoffensive but ultimately inessential album. www.thepostmarks.com Marc S. Review originally published by CMU Music Network www.cmumusicnetwork.co.uk Next