The Beautiful View may look like sleek extras from the set of Miami Vice with their tailored suits and high-end shoes, but these San Diego natives are leaving the drama for the dieseled-up action stars and bringing the thrill to the local stages. The quartet’s newly released 10-track LP, “life is beautiful,” has hints of pop, punk, rock, and hardcore. With influences ranging from Blondie, Franz Ferdinand and Duran Duran they prove that they are not afraid to straddle that fine line between an indie and un-indie sound. – Nicole Dawley
