Um, here's some more Clean reverence, but less noisy than Times New Viking and maybe even better (?!?). I don't know, but these L.A. dudes make an almost perfect impression on this here debut single. I say "almost perfect" because the title track, while still a damn fine rock song, is noticeably inferior to the endlessly enjoyable b-side "Pony People." A tuneful chunk of jaunty pop with just the right mixture of amateurism and proficiency, "Pony People" is an instant classic. It immediately sounds like something I've loved for years, but without too closely resembling any other specific song. "Pony People" reminds me of the first time I heard Pavement or Nothing Painted Blue's "Swivel Chair" or (um, again) Times New Viking; it's an immediate entry into the personal canon of songs that I love. As good as "Carol Cloud" is, it just can't compete.  Let's hope Wounded Lion has some more where this one came from.

Garrett Martin