A friggin’ delightful jangle pop number from Oakland’s THE MANTLES just sailed across my good ear’s field of detection. I honed in on the source and I have now listened to “Hello” about 15 times. That’s the track you’ll find a video or above. The song is a straight head bobbing garage popper with a killer hook and great guitar playing. It’s from the band’s new record LONG ENOUGH TO LEAVE which was released just a few weeks back by bar none America’s finest long standing indie pop/underground pop record label operation SLUMBERLAND RECORDS. The move to SLUMBERLAND comes after releasing full lengths on two other stellar labels, MEXICAN SUMMER (their last record PINK INFORMATION), and SILTBREEZE (their self titled debut). Through several line up changes the band’s shifting sound has reflected the label shifts they have experienced. A rougher, grittier garage rock take on the pop rock form has given way to a somewhat cleaner, though no less infectious, and wonderful pop twist filled jangling garage pop sound. It all makes sense to me. Keep the base pretty much the same, but tweak the herbs and spices? That’s called keeping it interesting. From what I’ve heard so far THE MANTLES new record is top notch, no question, pop rock music the way I like it and feel it ought to be made. And get this, THE MANTLES are playing an all ages show that BOSTON HASSLE is putting on @ Lilypad on the night of 7/11. They’re playing with Juan Wauters, Cuffs, and Parasol. Dream indie pop/jangle pop show? Um yeah.