The Roosevelt‘s debut EP is a bit like the FDR Memorial: A lot of people out there will say, “There’s a Roosevelt memorial?” while others will keep trying to persuade their friends and family to check it out. The comparisons pretty much end there. Our 32nd president led the country through the Great Depression and most of World War II. The Roosevelt are just trying to make a name for themselves in the D.C. music scene. Their self-titled debut should help move things along.

The band – Jon Mosher on guitar/vocals, Sam Mitchell on guitar, Scott Remley on bass and Chris Carney on drums – have put together a solid collection of songs with impressive production values. Opener “Coney Island” slowly builds expectation, especially through Mosher’s lyrics. It’s not the kind of song that immediately pops, but well-crafted lines about “fireworks making movies in the sky” and a strong chorus grow on you. Songs like “Codeine Cure” and “Start It Over” are faster to catch on, especially with the nice sing-along chorus in “Codeine Cure” that buries itself deep into your brain and doesn’t let go. “Mary” slows things down a bit to show off some smooth drum and guitar work. But it’s with “Elliot” that the band really shows its potential.