Writing for allmusic, Stewart Mason describes this Austin, Texas band as "a brilliant fusion of the Beatles, Squeeze, Guided By Voices, and some less obvious influences." He goes on to say that "Cotton Mather are one of those rare power pop groups who transcend their inspirations to create powerful and original music of their own."
The Rainbow Quartz blurb says this Melbourne quintet melts "pieces of The Jesus & Mary Chain, Primal Scream, The Psychedelic Furs, The Pixies and My Bloody Valentine into their own controlled sound." Yeh.
Their name was prophetic, their footprint small, but these Detroit rockers leave behind this perfect gem of power pop from their eponymous EP, along with the promise of a posthumous, downloadable full-length. May our paths cross again. Tiny Steps, we hardly knew ye.
First, a partial list of their cited influences: Apples in Stereo, The Beatles, Brendan Benson, Fountains of Wayne, The Kinks, Papas Fritas, The Posies, Teenage Fanclub, and XTC. Check, check, check, etcheckera, etcheckera, etcheckera. Their name? Hmmm. I'm not sure if they're advertising or mocking the challenges posed to small, local businesses by the Megalomarts of the world. Their music? You decide.
"Minnesota" is one of the funnest words in the world to say, especially trying to get the "o" right. And that's where these guys and gals are from. Minneapolis, Minnesota. How do I know this?
You'll be hearing some of their stablemates at Magic Marker Records, either on your own or with the assistance of your humble blogmeister, if, that is, you choose to click. Good hooch (another fun word to say).
One of the best music blogs I've come across is that of stytzer's at Hits in the Car. This music-loving Dane works his beehind off tracking down and posting excllent music. One recent posting put me in touch with the Swedish group DAYS. "Simple Thing" is my favorite so far, but stytzer has more. Incidentally, I found Hits in the Car via the excellent German blog, Coast is Clear. I don't necessarily understand every word there, but musically we speak the same language.
Hasten to 3hive (10/28) to check out The Postmarks' cover of Ministry's "goth-wave era hit," "Everyday is Halloween." On second thought, if the song holds, what's the hurry? You might like "Goodbye" as well.
Apropos of Shoes. . .
. . .be sure and check out NYMary's October 22 posting of four fabulous videos by those avatars of powerpop. Really, though, whom do I kid? You probably found me through her anyway, for which I thank you both.
Thanks to mp3hugger for the October 23 headsup on Sweden's Afraid of Stairs'new EP on the Lavenderlabel. Many of you probably already have this, but in case you missed it, here's their aptly cited "mini classic," "Not Today". Yes, you might as well know, I am hopelessly enamored of the chaussure-focused genre. Up next: navelgaze. Om.
This Brooklyn-based DIYer recorded a bedroomful of songs in Ohio and offers them up for free. Great hookery, especially in "Personal Loan" and "Rave Time." Low-key, yes, but as a more electrified bunch put it, "I can't get it out of my head."
These Detroiters are new to my ken and quite pleasing. Among the many things I like about this song is the way they don't keep rushing back to the excellent chorus.
...is minor and mine. I love 'em. I'm just having a hard time linking you directly to "The Problem," a song you Superchunkers and Portastaticators might find quite amenable. So if you're so inclined, go right to their website and click on Multimedia. (You might want to hit the PAUSE control in the upper right hand corner first, unless you like the autoplaying song.)
One Spinal Cracker (allusively): What the world needs now is another song blogger like I need a hole in my head.
Jojo: I've got five, maybe seven. One or two more might be gear. Let it be.
Amen.
Let us dream.
Kiss This Guy
I had one of those loony Hendrixian experiences this past Wednesday. No, I didn’t kiss a guy, although I sometimes do.* “Tree-ee-ee-ees and leaves are lovely/See-ee-ee-eek it, find the co-o-ore....” “Wonderful!” I blissed. “Perfectly suits the time of year. Season’s mellow, life is good, sparrows bark not in the wood.” But niggler I bethought me to verify that is in fact what the Lead Voice celebrates. It is not. Trees indeed are lovely, but so, as we’ve all noticed, are…knees. So bliss yourselves, mf’s,** with this lovely lay (chopperphile Pollard’s favorite, says the inestimable NYMary).
Their name was prophetic, their footprint small, but these Detroit rockers leave behind this perfect gem of power pop from their eponymous EP, along with the promise of a posthumous, downloadable full-length. May our paths cross again. Tiny Steps, we hardly knew ye.
First, a partial list of their cited influences: Apples in Stereo, The Beatles, Brendan Benson, Fountains of Wayne, The Kinks, Papas Fritas, The Posies, Teenage Fanclub, and XTC. Check, check, check, etcheckera, etcheckera, etcheckera. Their name? Hmmm. I'm not sure if they're advertising or mocking the challenges posed to small, local businesses by the Megalomarts of the world. Their music? You decide.
"Minnesota" is one of the funnest words in the world to say, especially trying to get the "o" right. And that's where these guys and gals are from. Minneapolis, Minnesota. How do I know this?
. . .are old hat to some of you, but in case not, here's a troika from one of Texas' finest bands. Read more here.
Helig Sverige, these bruins serve up the pop 100-proof! Skoal!
Thanks to mp3hugger for the October 23 headsup on Sweden's Afraid of Stairs' new EP on the Lavender label. Many of you probably already have this, but in case you missed it, here's their aptly cited "mini classic," "Not Today". Yes, you might as well know, I am hopelessly enamored of the chaussure-focused genre. Up next: navelgaze. Om.
This Brooklyn-based DIYer recorded a bedroomful of songs in Ohio and offers them up for free. Great hookery, especially in "Personal Loan" and "Rave Time." Low-key, yes, but as a more electrified bunch put it, "I can't get it out of my head."
These Detroiters are new to my ken and quite pleasing. Among the many things I like about this song is the way they don't keep rushing back to the excellent chorus.
