Ode to the Inverse of the Dude

From the opening harmonized verse of the High Strung's "Standing At The Door Of Self-Discovery," a bit of mid-period Flaming Lips springs right to mind, before gradually revealing traces of the New Pornographers and Beatles. This is all par for the course for the High Strung so that ODE TO THE INVERSE winds up equal parts classic-pop homage and rousing indie rock, with tastefully placed doses of psychedelic tomfoolery. The Detroit trio has struck a neat little trick: excavating a dangerously familiar set of influences while sounding disarmingly more relevant than some of their less uplifting peers.