When dreamy, hooky crunch-pop is done right, it melts your heart without even trying. Even though Seattle’s Argo is notoriously one of the hardest-working bands in town, their preternatural ability to craft immediately perfect rock gems feels completely effortless–and triumphant. Now, armed with a new lineup and the kind of working cohesiveness that playing loads of shows with bands like Aqueduct, Architecture in Helsinki, and Viva Voce brings, Argo is poised for constant positive progression.

And why shouldn’t they be? The band’s 2004 release on Ana-them Records, Jet Packs for Everyone, garnered substantial critical acclaim, received great college radio play, and Argo was even named a finalist in the 2005 Emerging Music Awards. Songwriters and multiinstrumentalists/ vocalists Justin Benson and Matt Benham played together since childhood before founding Argo in 2001 with drummer, keyboardist, and vocalist Scott Leonard.They were later joined by bassist/vocalist Jon Wooster.When recorded, Argo captures the vivaciousness and loose energy of their live setup; there’s nothing calculated here.

“Argo’s melodic pop enchantments drift out shy and slow but uplifting, and then they trip off into a sweet indie rock jazzy tumble that catches you off balance. Little hints of bands fall through the lush but still sparse notes: raindrops of Death Cab for Cutie, Joan of Arc, Sea and Cake, and Promise Ring.” – Big Takeover

“The debut album for this Seattle group is best described as blissful indie rock. It is the sort of music that is best used as a salve for those stressful days when you want the world to go away … if music is your medicine, Argo is the band you don’t want to miss.” – Tablet

“Be the first on your block to check out this fine new Seattle band, which makes pop music that is both smart and dumb in all the right ways. Liberal vintage keyboard sounds sit smartly alongside the indie rock textures, until DAMN! Hooks galore.” – The Stranger