Pure Bathing Culture

Pure Bathing Culture follow up last year’s self-titled debut EP with their full-length debut, Moon Tides, a swooning album that aims high and falls slightly short. It’s evident that a lot of work was put into the LP to sculpt its lethargic temperament, but the songs seep from one to the next without real variance or notable exceptions. Sarah Versprille’s voice hones the likeness of Kate Bush or Victoria Legrand, and Daniel Hindman’s elastic guitars emulate Real Estate, which together makes for a sound that seems to stretch time. The problem is simply that Moon Tides feels like a hassle-free album; any perceived conflict would create an interesting narrative, but PBC chooses to stay in a diluted comfort zone. At its best, the band’s soothing nature works in creating pretty, atmospheric soundscapes. But at its worst it can feel overbearing, kind of like being waterboarded with Sleepytime tea.