The Last Little Life EP

On The Last Little Life, Matt Sharp rebuilds his post-Weezer powerpop band from scratch; no original collaborators remain save Rachel Haden, who sang a little on the first Rentals album. The songs from the Rentals Mk II are those of an indie-pop band finding its feet—not as confident and epic as on Sharp’s old records. Even though five of the six members are credited with “synthesizers,” the Moogs are less prominent than ever on these songs, which rely more on acoustic guitar, viola and airtight harmonies from the band’s three female members. The new songs are good, but the inclusion of the remade (old) Rentals track “Sweetness and Tenderness” does something it shouldn’t, which is cast this crew as a 1990s Rentals cover band. They deserve better.