Secret City

The third track off of Plants and Animals’ La La Land, “American Idol,” sounds like a missing piece of Exile on Main Street. Perhaps it’s the triumphant horns, but the band’s spot-on bluesy rock and roll coupled with raw production makes this seem as if it was recorded decades ago. Plants and Animals explores a wide array of styles, constructing dreamy melodies and sticking indie jams, making for a throwback style that radiates modernity. The three-piece – along with guests Brad Barr and the Arcade Fire horn section – maintain a low-fi backdrop throughout much of La La Land, but one filled with fuzzy, explosive guitars, things warm up nicely. And when they do, you are in – hook, line and sinker.