With each
La Sera
album,
Katy Goodman
switches things up, working with new people and adjusting the sound in small increments. After debuting with a reverb-heavy girl group-inspired sound, she came back with a peppier new wave attack on 2012's excellent
Sees the Light
. Working with her third different guitarist/producer,
Tod Wisenbaker
, she's added a healthy dose of snarling punk attitude and dreamy power pop to the group's approach on
Hour of the Dawn
. Kicking off with a white-hot slam on a former bandmate/lover/friend called "Losing to the Dark" -- built around
Goodman
's most powerful vocals to date and
Wisenbaker
's squalling guitar solo -- the album splits time between charging ahead full-throttle and reflecting calmly on life and love. In that respect, it's very much like an early
Pretenders
album, and while
can't conjure up the same kind of toughness that
Chrissie Hynde
could, she does transmit more hurt and swagger than ever before. Tracks like "Kiss This Town Away" and "Running Wild" take care of the latter with their street smarts and great hooks, while the aching, chiming ballads "Falling in Place" and "All My Love Is for You" take care of the former. Almost every song sounds like it could be a radio hit: they all have sharp hooks and choruses and
's production is clear and simple, punctuated by his alternately ripping and rippling guitar leads. His restraint behind the board allows
's voice to be the star and she takes advantage to the fullest extent with a nuanced and very strong performance. With each record her songwriting has grown stronger, the overall sound of the band has grown more confident, and the finished product has become more exciting.
is great garage pop, some of the best being made in 2014, and is the best
album yet. ~ Tim Sendra