Where the hell did these folks come from??? Milwaukee apparently! Releasing what is hands-down the finest
power-pop album of the year thus far, this five-some comes careening out of the
gate on a wave of pure sugar and adrenaline that (other than acoustic closer “Million
Miles”) barely lets up over 39 minutes. Fizzy,
fuzzy, big and buzzy, the band crafts perfect pop songs that sound not too
dissimilar to the sadly-overlooked What Made Milwaukee Famous (a band that
inexplicably hailed from Austin, TX) – nearly every song is overflowing with
hooks, passion and the gale force voice of lead singer Betsy Heibler.
Heibler’s voice, equal parts Belinda Carlisle sexiness and
Jenny Lewis cool, jumps out of the speakers on songs like opening barnburner “Baby
Teeth” and late album highlight “Elm Tree Eulogy”. A force of nature in and of itself, she is
ably supported not only by the rest of the band (special mention goes to newbie
Andy Harris on keys and organ) but by the sturdiness of the songs. The best stuff here is as indebted to
early-80s California new wave as it is 60s girl groups – “Sun Rise, Sea Change”
could quite seriously be mistaken for a lost Go-Gos jam – and there ain’t a
stinker in the bunch! If movie studios
start remaking late-90s teen comedies, the title track here would serve as the
perfect song to play over the title credits.
Bop your head, swivel your hips, put on your scuffed Chucks and give
yourself over to the most joyous record of the year.
No comments:
Post a Comment