"Kids Gloves on the Packet Boat" opens Boat of Confidence with an charmingly odd little bit of skronk over a droning organ before launching into a a very pretty dual vocal. This same dual vocal approach also adds a great deal to "L'Enfant Plaza".
"Just Like A River" features some really nice guitar work as do most of the songs on Boat of Confidence, notably "Miserable In Coat + Tie" with its' infectious four-on-the-floor beat, "Stunning Capture" and "The Race To Invent The Airplane", which lays an incredible melody over some nice gurgling synthesizers. Like the vocals, the guitars often benefit from a back and forth dual approach; in every way, the Pathways become more whole than the sum of their parts.
There's some really beautiful production elements that add a great deal to the album – an exceptionally beautiful steel drum part that pop up out of nowhere on "You've Got To Look Inside Yourself", that pretty gurgling synth that opens "The Race To Invent The Airplane"
Why on earth did The Pathways choose to hide Productivity at the end of Boat Of Confidence! Certainly one of their best – it's one of my favorite songs of the year; when I'm walking with it in my headphones I feel like throwing my fists in the air and singing along with the cathartic, ecstatic hook, "But in the momentary streetlight, I see your face and all I think's Productivity!" – a rousing conclusion to another excellent album.
The Pathways succeed in all the important ways - their melodies are addictive, the guitars hooks are both very catchy and charmingly quirky, the bands' rhythm figures are great and the sound is enriched with odd little twists and turns and nice production touches. Most importantly, their music is very happy and fun. A great album through and through from one of the best new bands out there, the Pathways are breathing new life into indie rock and having a fair bit of fun doing it from the sound of things.
