Real Estate

Taking a cue from fellow Jersey newcomers Big Troubles and Fluffy Lumbers, Garden State fourpiece Real Estate are championing the swirling, nostalgia rock that seems to be sweeping the country of late. But unlike their vehemently lo-fi compadres, the Real Estate boys are not afraid to keep their treasured tunes polished. Single “Beach Comber” banks on a crisp, rambling guitar riff that shimmies behind lyrics about vacationing hearts, while the dreamy instrumental sway of “Atlantic City” takes a short but sweet cue from “Kokomo”-era Beach Boys. Throughout it all, frontman Martin Courtney never gives too much away : literally. His lyrics are delivered in a perfect Dylan-esque croon that lacks enunciation, as if to suggest that the words don’t really matter all that much. In the end, Real Estate’s shtick is beautifully orchestrated, melody-driven pop-no matter who’s jabbering along over it.