Kevin Bronson on February 9th, 2012

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Besides its obvious charms – agile melodies, caffeinated percussion and twinkling keyboards – the debut album from Soft Swells feels like a pep talk from an old friend. It’s full of polite but candid imperatives. “Say It Like You Mean It.” “Put It on the Line.” “Shake It Off.” “Never Leave Home.” “Make It Go Away.” Songwriter Tim Williams has obviously given a lot of thought to what is righteous and true, introspection likely triggered by his move to Los Angeles from New York in 2009 after open-heart surgery. Williams’ three previous solo albums were fine singer-songwriter meditations, but his new work with collaborator (and fellow new Angeleno) Matt Welsh of the alt-country band Phonograph possesses the broader vision of someone who will not settle for irresolute hope. The single “Put It on the Line” materializes from an off-kilter keyboard line into a chugging anthem that breathes life into an old chestnut. “Every Little Thing,” released last year, is like a steaming hot cup of optimism. “Shake it off / turn it up,” Williams sings later in the album, which comes out Feb. 28 on Modern Outsider Records. Tony Robbins should motivate so well. Highly recommended.

||| Stream: “Put It on the Line”

||| Live: Soft Swells celebrate their album release with a show at the Hotel Cafe on Feb. 28. They also do an in-store at Origami Vinyl on Feb. 29.

||| Previously: An interview with Tim Williams, and “Every Little Thing.”