Bringing back bangs and acid-washed jeans

In its first EP, The Aeffect revitalizes 1980s new wave, joining a number of bands eager to rejoice in retro sounds. With bands like The Faint gaining a considerable amount of attention and success, there has never been a better time for this Gainesville band to emerge. \nThe Aeffect breathes life into independent music, bringing a renewed energy. For people tired of crying along with the waves of "emo" bands, The Aeffect is a welcome change.\nVery New Order, The Aeffect's music would fit snuggly in an 1980s movie. Featuring smooth, electronic beats topped with an American singing in a British accent, it's easy to imagine hearing some songs in a movie about a high school romance. While none of the tracks on A Short Dream would be featured in a club scene or dance sequence, you can almost hear "Oh You Didn't Say," playing as a irritated girlfriend storms out of the prom to escape her misunderstood boyfriend. \nInstead of making A Short Dream a dance record, The Aeffect directs all of its energy into establishing the perfect mood, often falling somewhere between somber and uplifting. "Third Level of Existence, Pt. 1," a piano instrumental, provides the moody interlude and exemplifies this dynamic.\nPart two of the saga, featured as the sixth and last track, revisits the piano featured in part one, but adds a choir-like element. You can almost visualize a gothic chapel-like setting.\n"Insomnia" presents another example of how The Aeffect perfectly sets a mood. The tiredness, frustration and longing to sleep can be felt in the music as well as the lyrics. Anyone who has struggled to sleep in the dead of night can relate when Aaron Feibus sings about "tossing in bed." When Feibus sings, "I can't take the stress/ My brain is not working," he seems to have reached into the psyche of many a college student. \nIf A Short Dream can be considered only the beginning for The Aeffect, the future looks bright. Simultaneously, the band brings back what we loved about synthesizers and new wave without just rehashing the '80s. \nRating: 8