With Real Estate on a break, guitarist Matt Mondanile brings his side project out of the bedroom and into the studio – all designs are firmly fixed on a glorious technicolour gem, but it’s fair to say results are mixed. ‘The Flower Lane’ is dominated by sumptuous jangles, recalling the likes of Aztec Camera and Orange Juice, but occasionally derailed by a tiresome tendency towards the tasteful. Despite the bold flourishes of ‘Under Cover’ and the title track, it’s hard to ignore the spectres of Don Henley and Chris Rea skulking amidst the sonic snazzery. A bit too nice, perhaps.
Will Fitzpatrick