There Goes the Sun is a wonderful amalgamation of all of the influences Walker Kong’s previous releases wore so proudly on their sleeves; they’ve fused all of the odd parts into a very effective, cohesive whole. At times recalling Movietone, Yo La Tengo, and Luna, the hyperactivity that characterized their records has been tempered a bit, and the band has opted instead for a more classic pop/rock sound, happily accompanied by a subtlety that suits their new batch of songs quite well. Jeremy Ackerman’s singing isn’t as expressive, and his newly relaxed delivery has become another lovely component of the band’s sonic vehicle. The Modern Lovers’ influence has been smoothly incorporated into the group’s overall sound, which is now vaguely reminiscent of surf-pop (of all things), as well as the familiar new wave, but what carries the album home is it’s casual poignancy; a nostalgia for the future, if you will, permeates the record. This strangely comforting feeling is due in no small part to the warm production of Ackerman and co-engineer Brian Tester, both of whom seem to have an instinctive knowledge of the needs of each individual song. That said, There Goes the Sun isn’t just a collection of songs, it’s a mood pressed to wax, a time machine that echoes around the musical stratosphere waiting for the curious listener to be absorbed and transported by its irrepressible buoyancy. – Bryan Carroll