Given the irregular appearance of studio records from long-running American power pop treasures The Posies, every new release tends to be a highly-anticipated celebration for both the band and its fans. Sadly, the time leading up to the making of Solid States, their eighth studio effort, was marred by the unexpected passing of longtime drummer Darius Minwalla, to whom their newest studio effort is dedicated. Despite the spectre of loss understandably looming over the bulk of the record, the group delivers another solid studio outing, seizing the opportunity to broaden their sound in new ways. While there remains an abundance of guitar-driven pop goodness, band principals Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer have seamlessly incorporated electronic sketches that add another dimension to The Posies ever-growing palette of colour. Recommended tracks: “Squirrel vs. Snake,” “March Climes,” “Radiance,” and “We R Power!”