Cloaking a somewhat depressing underbelly of a theme with sunny prog-pop seems all in a day’s work for Boston’s Archeology, which is interesting enough when you consider that The Wildwood Hymns was probably recorded during an endless, hellish black rain.

The second EP in a planned five-disc synopsis of the band’s experiences in PDX, The Wildwood Hymns feels its way around a theme involving historical figures, and dives into decidedly unsubtle issues like homelessness, as well as enslaved and executed 1940's French secret agents. The results are varied, especially when you factor in the modicum of cheeriness employed by vocalists Daniel Walker and Jason Davis. Tracks like “San Salvador,” about “the voyage of Christopher Columbus written through the eyes of an onlooker and advocate of the residents of San Salvador,” tries to be a cutesy, slow-burn spaghetti western, but ends up with marinara smeared across its breast.

The EP isn’t a failure by any means; Archaeology is poised to help corner a niche sound in Boston done just as well by bands like Derby. However, the juxtaposition of gloomy yesteryear (and current) tragedy sublimated into fun, peppy pop numbers is a tricky experiment, and one that hopefully the band will fine-tune with the release of the next installment of their EP avalanche in June.- Ryan J. Prado - website