Album

"The Originators" MP3s

• The Cigarette Song

• Bethamphetamine

• Martini Cool

• More on The Originators

Onetime “alternative punk/funk” instigators (so they say), these Washington, D.C., transplants seem to have settled into the role of surf-beaten bar band coaxing the final foamy spurts from the ska keggerator. Or at least, that’s how the fivesome comes across on its spit-polished, adamantly blithe seven-track debut.

The Details

The Originators EP

There are plenty of hard-charging overtones and a notable proclivity for rolling around in some highly unstylized emotional grime, while lead vocalist Sarah James boasts a full, brassy voice and aplomb to spare. But largely uninspired ditties bemoaning divorce (“Nothing”), running into a former high-school flame (“Martini Cool”) and getting hauled out of the house by the fuzz (“Police Man”)? Major mid-life bummers, dude. Far better experienced live, and with unironic PBR in hand.