Indie synth slackers DOM have a pretty wild reputation.  The Worcester Massachusetts 5 piece are the kind of band whose lead singer doesn't reveal his last name (supposedly because of debt problems), post weird Craigslist ads on the weekend, and include a party hotline phone number on the band's facebook page. But when the lo-fi electronic partiers aren't making a whole lot of trouble, they're creating stellar synth pop that can stand along side the best of today's music.

The newest material from DOM comes in the form of a 5 song EP titled Family of Love. The short but sweet EP doesn't do anything radically different from last years introductory Sun Bronzed Greek Gods. It contains that same type fuzzy bubblegum keyboard pop we fell in love with in the first place. Instead, this collection of music raises the bar and displays some continuity for a band that's not only discovered it's sound, but proves they are constantly trying to master it.

Each song on the Family of Love EP has the power to make your head bob with sun splashed keyboard hooks and fight-for-your-right-to-party lyrics.  Tunes like "Happy Birthday Party" & "Telephone" seem to stack up well, if not better than any of the band's previous material. The lyrics to these songs retain their teenage quirkiness while mostly sticking to the same themes. Mainly girls, parties, drugs; that type of thing. Not exactly Ivy League material, but then again, any band that freely uses the word 'gnarly' in a chorus line probably didn't attend Harvard either.

Nothing about this album comes off as unauthentic. The group's music really does exemplify that type of carefree, teenager attitude we associate with our younger years. And in a lot ways, it brings those years back.  Family of Love is the type of album you'll want to pop into your stereo and play it loud while a drinking on Saturday night. It's music that can make you feel 10 years younger, and that in itself, is a very special thing.

Damn by DOM