The breakthrough album for Eyes Lips Eyes, “Blue Red” is the culmination of a year’s worth of single releases plus some album-exclusive songs released throughout 2011. Based in Provo, Utah, Eyes Lips Eyes has a whirlwind sound that reflects many of their old school influences, blending Red Hot Chili Peppers styled funk-punk rock rhythms with the lyrics and vocal style of the Talking Heads.

Kicking off with their hit single, “Pretty,” Eyes Lips Eyes sets the tone for the rest of the album, pushing out oddball kinetic song after oddball kinetic song. The almost bouncy rhythms coupled with simple guitar and bass riffs give each and every song a quality of fun that is hard to find in most modern albums today. Self-described as a Disco Punk band, Eyes Lips Eyes takes the energy of punk rock but smoothes out the rough edges in favor of simplistic music styling. With an offbeat lyricism reminiscent of Beck and the Talking Heads, vocalist Tony Hello belts out the wild, zany and sometimes sincere lyrics of the album in a unique vocal style. They even manage to pull off a spirited take on the Talking Heads’ hit song “Psycho Killer.” Continuing through the album, from the frantic “This Stuff” to the funky spiral that is “False Prophet,” there is an ample amount of variety in “Blue Red.”

Although some songs may seem to blend together, I see that as the true appeal to “Blue Red.” A perfect example of an enjoyable and simple listening experience, Eyes Lips Eyes stands out from other indie bands by having a quirky approach to their music and an equally impressive variation in music styling.

For fans of: Talking Heads, Two Door Cinema Club, Dr. Dog.