Despite their name Pacific!, with the exclamation mark, are from Sweden. It all becomes clear as soon as the opening track gets in to gear, with wistful vocals atop a synth pop backing – heavily 80s influenced but curiously uplifting. The layered choruses of songs like ‘Break Your Social System’ are euphoric, but the band surprise with the depth of feeling they reveal on the understated slower numbers. With Brian Wilson influences coming occasionally to the fore, and a couple of well crafted instrumentals, Pacific! are an indulgent pleasure, and stand up well to repeated listening – even if they are somewhat derivative.
4 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood
