The Van Delecki’s Letters From the Desk of S.Van Delecki isn’t much of a departure from Jamie Hoover’s band, the Spongetones — lots of harmonies, pure pop melodies, and plenty of hooks. The album, for the most part, is more relaxed and has fewer blatant Mersey references with light acoustic, folky arrangements playing a bigger role. And while the Spongetones album that preceded this project moved into the same territory, this one is more effectively executed. – Chris Woodstra
