With a few live shows under their belts, Huntington Beach’s the Rocky Valentines have moved from the ethos of a one-man band and into rock trio mode.

 

After frontman Charles Martin took on most of the workload on the band’s debut, this time around, he has recruited Levi Perelman on guitars and Luke Westrup on bass.

 

Martin, meanwhile, still handles vocals, drums, piano, songwriting, and more guitars. Together, they form a classic trio in the vein of Boys Don’t Cry-era the Cure or Low, but sun-kissed by California youth.

 

Even with the additional members, the songs retain the post-punk feel of the band’s debut, though it seems Martin has traded in Grant Hart’s candidness for Bob Mould’s introspection.

 

Poppy as hell, layered guitars bring the album’s opener and title track to life, as well as the first single, “The Nat Song.” Those first two tracks are complemented by the album’s closer, “No Fear of Heights.” The LP’s final song starts with a sample from the 1973 classic “American Graffiti,” where Cindy Williams’ Laurie tells Ron Howard that, “We’re not kids anymore.”

 

For an outfit moving beyond its genesis, the words could not be more apropos. That the song is prefaced on the tracklist by “Graduation” adds to the idea that this is a young band aware it is mid-maturation. The lead-in for “Graduation,” meanwhile, is “Wannabe,” which opens with a ringing school bell, further adding to the idea. 

 

In between, songs like “The Color Brown,” “The Clock Says It’s Noon,” and “Where the Grass Is Green,” seamlessly bring the tempo up and down with an array of guitar tones and rhythms.

 

Like its predecessor, “Music on the Shelf,” was recorded by Jason Martin (Starflyer 59, Neon Horse) at Room, mixed by Bob Hoag (the Ataris, Fine China), and features artwork by Jake Quintanar. It will be released on LP, CD, and cassette July 18 on Velvet Blue Music. 

 

***** Record Release Show : 7/17 Costa Mesa, CA @ Dick Church's

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