Pitchfork

One kiss doesn't always lead to another. New Dead Oceans signees the Explorers Club know the feeling on the previously unreleased "Last Kiss", an advance download released ahead of a debut album due early next year. As we suggested last year, this Charleston, S.C. sextet might be to the Beach Boys and the Left Banke what the Pipettes are to the Shangri-Las and the Supremes. Except perhaps more interested in sonically replicating their heroes.

With a palm-muted, early rock 'n' roll intro not far off from California one-hit wonders the Rivieras, "Last Kiss" zooms from fun and sun Beach Boys (the verses) to the wondrous falsetto harmony Beach Boys (the chorus) to the groovy, compositionally complex Beach Boys (the organ-pinging bridge). "We've been steady for going on a year now," they sing, until the other flip-flop drops. Put them on a bill with Lucky Soul and we're set.