By Delia Paunescu

Oftentimes, lovers of music wonder what the Beatles would sound like today. Unfortunately, the truth is that they would probably be almost as sad as the Rolling Stones and even as tired-looking as Aerosmith. In a perfect world, however, they would still be as young as the day they landed in America – with their matching mod suits acting like uniforms of cool, wide-eyed stares that revealed just a hint of mischief and a the wholesome sound of pure rock and roll.

Fortunately for these inopportune fans, especially those born after 1980, a new band has come along that delivers everything their ears have been missing. Locksley is a four-man band based in Brooklyn, but they could just as easily be posterior versions of that famous band from across the pond.

Self-admittedly, Locksley sound like they look and for those who haven’t seen them, this includes their signature drainpipe pants, trim button-down shirts and mod leather boots. And their music isn’t bad either. Don’t Make Me Wait is the band’s first release and aside from the overwhelming energy that exudes from speakers (one filled with the wide-eyed optimism found on a first album), you certainly wouldn’t know it.

The songs are short, each acting as a little burst of happiness, but excellently portrayed. Their sound is busy, simultaneously reminiscent of the Brit Pop that came so long before yet also encompassing the hectic world we now live in. The only thing topping this very danceable sound is lyrics that can’t help but make you happy: “It’s something so surreal, the stupid way you make me feel / when everything is said and done, somehow you are still the one”.

Even when bringing the tempo down a few notches with tracks like “All of the Time” and “It Won’t Be for Long,” the initial promise of a good time that comes with this album is still present. With crashing cymbals and wonderful harmonies, Locksley manages to keep spirits high.

Yes, Locksley has the good fortune (or bad luck) of being a band that can be compared to many other great ones. The impressive part is that they hold their own among these big names and will soon take their place among the mention of such wonders as The Kinks, Hot Hot Heat and The Libertines. Locksley says it best: “One look [or listen] was all it took and you were in my head my darling.”

4.5 STARS