Sunday Runners - s/t

Name: Sunday Runners
Album: s/t
Year: 2005
Style: Powerpop, Light Rock
Similar Bands: Keane, The Verve, Travis, Muse, Ours, Lincoln, Pixies, Beatles, Fountains of Wayne, Grandaddy, Doves
"One-Word" Review: Cultured Power Pop
Based Out Of: Chicago
Label: Machine Records

Cover & Back

CD, Inner Note, CD Tray

Sunday Runners (2005)

1. Elected 3:51
2. Memories Left at Sea 3:34
3. Everlasting Sun 2:54
4. Half My Height 3:03
5. Into Your Head 4:02
6. 1993 3:58
7. Finally 3:19
8. Lip Biter 3:07
9. Flying Saucers 3:27
10. Evolver 4:36
11. Floor Toms Fall Away / Hide (hidden track) 10:32

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Randy Diderrich - Vox, Guitars, Keys, Writing, Lyrics, Album Art Design, Producer, Remixing (Mas Optica, Front of Truck, Tobin Sprout, Kevin Tihista's Red Terror)
• Todd Bowie - Slide Guitar, Backing Vox, Producer, Remixing, Engineering (Martha Berner, The Karlz, Toiz)
• Mason Brown - Guitar, Bass, Backing Vox, Writing (Tobin Sprout)
• Derek Crawford - Drums, Percussion (Verve Pipe, Kiss Me Luna, All Rectangle, Dick Prall, Tenniscourts, Clip Art)
• Robin Crawford - Cello 
• Rick Diderrich - Bass (Renegade)
• Chad Kovac - Drums, Keys (Kevin Tihista's Red Terror)
• Dan Reinholt - Drums
• Gary Vermillion - Drums (Tobin Sprout, Kevin Tihista's Red Terror)
• Steve Vermillion - Bass (Tobin Sprout, Kevin Tihista's Red Terror)
• Brad Towell - Album Art Design
• Chris Butterman - Exec Producer, Mgmt
• Trevor Sadler - Mastering
• Warren Pieschalia - Photos
• Tony Bonyata - Photos, Promo & Publicity
• Matt Monsoor - Video
• Win Jones - Cover Painting

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of the band. From both the lazy idea of a Sunday runner, to the cold, frozen art work and aerial photography, i'm guessing this is a high-brow indie band, with a lot of the sound tied to folksy, log cabin pop, similar to #2-4 album Belle & Sebastian. Maybe there is more energy than I currently think, though, only because the band's contributor list is pretty long...although slide guitar and cello make me thing wispy folksy pop is still their sound.

Album Review: The album is overflowing with harmonies, held notes a little like Ours' Jimmy Gnecco, some light indie coffee house pop and some straight up Fountains of Wayne Powerpop. The mix of songs is refreshing, pushes away boredom (aside from the blank space before the hidden track) and keeps you guessing with a nice slice of catchy, non-threatening radio-ready pop. The album was mostly the project of frontman Randy Diderrich, with support from labelmates and friends.

They had a song on the OC (Memories Left at Sea), and had some good press about the album, which opened some doors for the Chicago band. Originally from Southern Wisconsin, Randy moved himself and the band back home for their second album, after being cured from melanoma and having a kid. The second album is more of a collaboration of the full band, with a reportedly more cohesive 70's glam sound. 

Stand Out Track: Half My Height

Links:
Todd Bowie's Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

On Milwaukee

On Milwaukee tour date

Mitch Schneider Org
Concert Live Wire show review

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