Ship of dreams

There was no telling what this would sound like.

Here We Go Magic’s self-titled debut consisted of spacey bedroom recordings from Luke Temple, and 2010’s follow-up “Pigeons” sported freaky melodies and a full band in tow.

While far from a sophomore slump, the band failed to truly lift off like its live sets and debut promised it could. “A Different Ship” is the sound of Here We Go Magic finally launching into the fully charged pop-rock it’s capable of.

In the capable hands of Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, the band’s arrangements are less crowded than on “Pigeons” but sound richer. The album flows easily from lazier tracks to intense jams that gradually fill up as layers of sound fall into place.

The title and closing track might be the best on the album, with its crisp vocals and thunderous guitar that slowly roll into a wave of distortion reminiscent of the debut album’s spacier material.

“A Different Ship” is a well-paced, well-written and well-produced record you should be spinning all summer long.

By Patrick Beane