The Sha La Das leave a mid-century trail: falsetto croons, soft romantic lyrics, seething basslines and harmonies, lots of harmonies. It comes from the larger retro Daptone universe, though producer Tom Brenneck (the Budos Band, Menahan Street Band, Sharon Jones, etc.) now releases records through his own Diamond West label. Like most of the bands Brenneck has been involved with, this one mines an archaic vibe, in this case, the elaborately arranged, silky vocal arrangements of classic 1940s and 1950s doo wop, but it is too full of life to feel like a museum piece.
The band is a family affair, headed by papa Bill Schalda and filled out by his three sons, Paul, Will and Carmine. Shared genetics may explain, at least in part, why their voices meld so…