Interestingly, the Ivy Lines have cultivated a sound without any bearings whatsoever to their hometown of Modesto, a small city amidst the farms of California’s Central Valley.  The Ivy Lines, are pure Brit-pop all the way, and their influences can be heard throughout their 12-track, self-titled debut. 

Patrick Coleman’s vocals carry a strong affectation and Tim Cullens’ guitar leads showcase a wide range of styles, though he verges, at times, on overplaying.  The opener, “Weight of the World” is a catchy rocker, and “I Love Your Eyes” sounds like a lost track from The Queen is Dead, so much does Coleman’s voice sound like Morrissey.  The only qualm I have with the album is that it seems to have frontloaded the better material; the second half of the album doesn’t really match that of the first.