In the year 2010, it’s pretty damn near impossible to write music that is truly unique. I think we can all agree at this stage in the game that art in general is a constant reinvention of elements and techniques scattered throughout history. It’s a “modern ritual” almost, to borrow from those who’ve come before us. Picasso ripped off African tribal art and Zeppelin ripped off the Blues. I mean, let’s be honest, you can’t exactly create a new color or discover a new tone. (On this planet at least). Therefore it pretty much comes down to what you do with what you’ve got. Santa Monica-based rockers known simply as, Chief, draw much of their inspiration from early 70′s acts like The Band, Neil Young and The Beach Boys and aren’t shy about their classic roots. Mind you, they don’t sound like any of those bands outright but after some heavy listening to their debut album “Modern Rituals”, the harmonies and gleaming guitars definitely take you back.

Lead singer Evan Koga’s up-and-down vocals range somewhere in between two modern vocalists, Hamilton Leithauser (The Walkmen) and James Skelly (The Coral) but the simple lush harmonies and layered guitars might be mistaken for clean vintage tunes your Dad used to rock in his youth. Brothers Danny and Michael Fujikawa (on vocals/ guitar and drums, respectively) and Mike Moonves (bass) round out the tribe. Danny sings lead on a few songs himself and brings a soft, almost melancholy style which works well on laid back jams such as “This Land” and the slow-building — rocker “You Tell Me.” There’s plenty of solid, clean guitar work layered throughout so don’t think this is just a couple of long-haired hippies strumming along in the back shed. The pace of the album is varied perfectly and I’m still shocked to realize this is a band’s first album in the sheer variety of songs. The production is spot on and every sound has a place. No filler here.

Lush, upbeat and soaring tunes about the usual “coming-of age” suspects (heartbreak, summer days and dreamy nostalgia) make this an easily accessible album and a sleeper LP that should pop up on any decent music critic’s end of year list. It’s a great debut from a promising band we hope to see more from. While it might be a little early to declare them “chiefs” of modern rock this is one band sure to move quickly up the totem pole.