By: Liz Levine
Rating: 8.5/11

Wheat have bounced freely between lo-fi basement tunes and slick pop on their four previous efforts, and while again combining these two approaches, their latest release, White Ink, Black Ink (Rebel Group, 2009), is so deliciously poppy it almost makes them seem like a mainstream rock act. They incorporate both electronic and guitar band elements, laying a hooky guitar line over a sustained drum machine beat that’s rounded out by an actual drummer. There’s something shy about Wheat, as if they’re never quite comfortable reaching a moment of pure release, but this comes off as endearing rather than stunted. They remain entirely inoffensive, but their politeness behooves them in that is brings a sincerity, and well, cuteness to the catchy melodies of which they have no lack.

The biggest draw, however, might be singer Scott Levesque’s awesome voice, capable of fostering crushes in many young hearts. It’s packed with that classic “boy with his guitar” innocence, sweetness, and adorability, so that these tracks feel like they could effortlessly pepper an indie flick soundtrack.

Another vocal element that pops up often is the use of call and response, echo effect, and on many tracks, a sort of hushed backing choir. Levesque’s words are still sitting in the very front, but many lines are lifted by a team of helpers that make them larger, shared, and more resonant. Album opener “HOTT” is an adorable ditty with a soothing, running bass line; it’s a song so bright and poppy that it doesn’t feel that Wheat-ish, but it’s so darn likeable that it doesn’t really matter. “Change Is” is another shimmery charmer, and it sounds like something from a pop veteran who’s been putting slick tunes on the shelf for years. Levesque does a bit of vocal exploring, sustaining higher notes for longer and seeming to come out of his shell a bit, exclaiming “Change is the better part of me/ Boom boom I’m gettin’ outta here” over and over as if to explain the band’s reasoning for such a song. If it could be wondered that Wheat’s move to pop masterdom might alienate longtime fans, it’s not a stretch to assume those fans would be too busy being hypnotized by brightness and fun to care.