Portland’s Indie rock band Guitar continues to make heavy waves in the underground music scene with their fearlessly experimental, ever-evolving sound and commanding showmanship. Fusing elements of 90’s slacker rock, post-punk and beatmaking, Guitar accomplishes multitudes, challenging their audience to think harder about what they actually need from music. The answer is that they need more Guitar. In his book The Trial, Franz Kafka said, “From a certain point onward there is no longer any turning back. That is the point that must be reached.” These words ring true as Guitar releases their second and most powerful LP to date, We’re Headed to the Lake, available this fall from Julia’s War.

With We’re Headed to The Lake, Kuli abandons modern shoegaze conventions and creates something much more akin to 90’s alternative groups like Teenage Fanclub and Guided By Voices. The song, “The Game Has Changed” sounds like a mushroom-fueled reimagining of a Weezer song with its deeply memorable hooks warped by oblong ris and atonal harmonies. Songs like “Every Day Without Fail” are positively triumphant, urging listeners to bob their heads endlessly as the locked-in guitarmonies sail over the upbeat rhythms, only to dissolve into a twisted, hulking hardcore breakdown. “Chance To Win” features Kuli’s wife and feels like a love-induced fever dream with its elegant, orchestral arrangements. The rest of the album follows suit with densely arranged, compelling, and surprising tracks.

We’re Headed to The Lake is a sprawling and invigorating leap for Kuli. The record is generally more lyrically and melodically positive, giving the Guitar audience something hopeful; a uniquely beautiful response to an often dark world. The record feels like a place that Kuli was headed all along, and now, he has finally arrived. He has finally arrived at the lake.

1. A+ for the Rotting Team
2. Chance to Win
3. Cornerland
4. Ha
5. The Game Has Changed
6. Every Day Without Fail
7. Office Clots
8. Pizza For Everyone
9. Pinwheel
10. A Toast to Tovarishch
11. The Chicks Just Showed Up
12. Counting On A Blowout