The Whitsundays

by Mark Deming
Edmonton, Alberta's the Whitsundays embrace a sound that takes several pages from the book of '60s sunshine pop and light psychedelia while also referencing contemporary indie pop. The Whitsundays' membership nods to the group's eclectic approach -- lead singer and principle songwriter Paul Arnusch is also a member of acclaimed dream pop combo the Faunts and post-punk revivalists the Floor, while bassist Lyle Bell and drummer Clint Frazier divide their time between the Whitsundays and frenetic electronic dance-rock outfit Shout Out Out Out Out. (The Whitsundays also feature guitarist Dave Swanson and Doug Organ on keyboards.) Arnusch formed the group as a vehicle to pay homage to classic pop sounds of the past and make use of his growing collection of vintage keyboards and guitars; the group began earning a following in their native Canada and beyond for their smart neo-retro sounds in the early part of 2007, and by the end of the year they had completed their first album, which was released in January 2008 by Friendly Fire Recordings in the United States and Pop Echo Records in Canada.