The Debutantes

Fans of moody rock music, rejoice! The Debutantes have an album you can (with a certain sullen caution and more generalized brand of moodiness) dig. Best described as Joy Division-Lite, Late Night Shutdown can easily be grooved to, whether you're dealing with the end of the world or the end of a relationship (not that there's much difference when it's all going down!). There's some stellar guitar work on display here, and the songs do a good job of mixing elements and keeping the sound fresh. The production is solid, too, which makes Late Night Shutdown an excellent headphone record -- fans of The Cure, The Smiths and the aforementioned Joy Division should instantly take to it. They might even tell all their friends about it. I know I will. - Ben Fortenberry - Ben Fortenberry

They're a jangled, feedback-scarred indierock outfit with a knack for outbreaks of My Bloody Valentine distortion, and they're gifted with the kind of spartan, knockout rhythm section that's been de rigueur since the Strokes hit. - Carly Carioli

Sparkling guitars ring throughout this release. Lines intertwine and enmesh reminding me of bands like early New Radiant Storm King and a slightly less jangly and more angular version of the Feelies.

This album is a fine addition to the indierock genre, with lineage that passes back through a forgotten era of college rock that predates the horrifying term "alternative" and includes the previously touched upon bands (Unrest, the Feelies), along with bands like Pylon, (old) Yo La Tengo, and occasionally digs further back to the likes of Jonathan Richman and even a much lighter Velvet Underground. Recommended! Well worth hunting down. - Jimi C.

Dizzyingly swirling guitars and atonally reeling vocals combine to create a vertigo inducing atmosphere as The Debutantes spin their way through this 10-song collection. Somewhat reminiscent of the early R.E.M. records, Late Night Showdown features smart, well-crafted songs about bleak landscapes and hopeless nights spent wandering neon-lit streets. And then, every once in a while, the guitar explodes into a feedback frenzy, a la Sonic Youth, just to make sure you're still paying attention. I wouldn't recommend operating heavy machinery while listening to this record, but I can imagine that it would make a nice compliment to whatever mind-altering substance you prefer to indulge in. I'm going to try listening to it in my car on the way home from work tonight, so if you don't hear from me again you can assume that I wrapped my Civic around a telephone pole due to the polyphonic trance I've fallen into. (Brian Mosher) - Brian Mosher

We have to say we really get excited when we get great music...Late Night Shutdown by the Debutantes, a four-piece out of Allston, MA, was and will remain a great listen... They get an overall WOW! I would happily list nine of the ten tracks as standouts, but that would be overzealous - though totally doable. - South of Mainstream

On their muted pop debut, "Late Night [Shutdown]," the Allston four-some wrap subterranean lament in dissonant guitars and anti vocals. It's not as horrible as it sounds, honest. - Selene Angier

The potential for future greatness is obvious. - Mike

The Debutantes are a four-piece hailing from Allston, MA, and Late Night Shutdown is their debut album. Its chimey, mellow, early R.E.M. vibe mixed with very occasional Joy Division-via-Interpol squall makes it a perfect bedroom/headphone experience. While predominantly quiet — a real defeated-by-heartbreak effort — it has just enough punch to keep from sounding watered-down or excessively wistful. Another way to describe it would be Boy -era U2 ballads meet at-their-peak Cure quivering harmonics and My Bloody Valentine-ish guitar swooshes with a strong finish of Jeff Tweedy twang and broke-down spirit.

There’s little that doesn’t go down easy on this album, and I mean that in the best way possible. - Susan Visakowitz