On this digital-only EP from Vancouver's Soft Serve, the influence can really be "felt," if you catch my drift. Jangly leads and gently strummed backing guitars intermingle over driving drum beats and faithful bass lines. Sopping wet vocals come in from the rain to tell you that it's actually quite fresh outside. While the playing is strong and the songwriting is adequate if not interesting, it's really the simple, insistent melodies and uncluttered production that make Skin Deep a hit. There's something wonderfully straightforward about this kind of pop music, and serious kudos are due to Soft Serve for knowing how to play it with such charm.
