There’s no shortage of discernable influences on Orange County five-piece Young The Giant’s eponymous debut record. Borrowing heavily from Coldplay, U2, The Killers, Kings of Leon and even, on album highlight “Cough Syrup,” Boy Kill Boy, the Cali-band seem to have developed a fondness for escalating guitar riffs, soaring vocals and metronomic bass lines. But taking the best aspects of more seasoned acts makes it tough to nail down exactly what their sound is. Lovingly lurching from one influence to the next, the album is more of an homage to so-called “alternative” rock than a distinct, cohesive musical offering.

Key tracks: “Cough Syrup,” “Apartment,” “Garands”