The Philadelphia-by-way-of-Austin combo Literature are students of indie pop and if their second album, Chorus, was their final paper, they would pass the class with flying colors. Not an A+ exactly, but a solid A- that leaves room for future improvement. Recorded by Ladybug Transistor's Gary Olson at his Marlborough Farms studio, the album has a warm sound that is extremely welcoming, while at the same time able to whip up plenty of excitement. Great chunks of the album sound like reverb-coated interpretations of classic Orange Juice or Smiths songs, other parts sound like a more nimble Pains of Being Pure at Heart or a less bloated Neutral Milk Hotel, but ultimately the band's own personality comes through. This is partly due to Kevin Attics' charmingly nasally vocals that sound more post-punky than indie pop, as well as the whip-smart guitar interplay between Attics and Nathaniel Cardaci and the always punchy rhythm section of Seth Whaland and Chris Schackerman. The lads play every song like it's their last and it's hard to not be swept away by their energy...