United States Three - She's The Word

Name: United States Three
Album: She's the Word
Year: 1995
Style: Indie Rock, Nerd Rock
Similar Bands: Rentals, Replacements, The Presidents of the USA, TMBG, Lincoln, Bicycle, Lemonheads
"One-Word" Review: Power Indie Sketchbook
Based Out Of: Indianapolis, IN
Label: Flat Earth Records

Cover & Fold Out Pictures

Liner Notes, CD Back, CD

She's the Word (1995)

1. She's Silly 2:17
2. Bitchin' Time 3:26
3. Waterproof 2:31
4. Open Up for Ann 2:34
5. Resonate With Me 3:44
6. Heavens to Betsy 2:31
7. I Got My Eye on You 3:32
8. Neighborhood Association 4:47
9. Puppet Show 5:49
10. She's the Word 3:39
11. This Time Around 2:24
12. High School 3:45
13. All the Power to the People 3:21
14. Careening In Full Speed 1:08
15. Setting Myself Up 3:53
16. Sensaround 2:43
17. Let's Not Be Friends 3:44

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Vess Ruhtenberg - Vox, Guitar (Antenna, Gentle Readers, JOT, Many Bright Things, Over the Rhine, Sardina, The Pieces, The Warmth, Action Strasse, Rattail Grenadier, Datura Seeds, Zero Boys, Mysteries of Life, John Mellencamp, Many Bright Things, Mercy Creek, June Panic, Uvulva, Extra Blue Kind, Lemonheads, Kaiser Cartel, Margot & the Nuclear So and Sos, Pink Eagles)
• Mark Cutsinger - Vox, Drums (The Late Show, Windopane, Zero Boys, Why on Earth, Toxic Reasons, Stonewall Weekend, Transportation, Many Bright Things, In the Summer of Mushroom Honey, Trainwreck, Mike Farmer, Machine Guns and Motorcycles)
• Andrew Angrick - Bass
• Lon Paul Ellrich - Drums (Sardina, Mysteries of Life, Butterfly Child, June Panic, Uvulva, Winechuggers, Marmoset, Warmth, Jorma Whittaker, Extra Blue Kind, Lemonheads, Margot & the Nuclear So and Sos)
• John P Strohm - Guitar (Antenna, Blake Babies, Loeb & Loeb, Lemonheads, Velo-Deluxe, Antenna, Cinderblock, Polara, John Walsh & the Sinkholes, Mike Watt, Lisa Germano, Walon Smith)
• DNA 12 - Textural Enhancement
• Paul Mahern - Electromagnetic Translation
• melinda - Laughing
• Roger Seibel - Mastering
• Jonee Quest - Cover Photo
• Bethany Troutman - Model
• Tom Coryell -Band Photos
• Evan Finch - Jacket Tailoring
• Jim Beever - Jacket Tailoring
• Blythe Hager -  Mistress of Propaganda
• Marita Clarke - Abduction Consulate

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but i know i got it in the late 90's in a discount bin at Siren Records. Not sure why i bought it other than the cover & font, which seemed like something i might like. Inside, the liner photos shows an older band with new wave/punk throwback suits and skinny ties with a young front man. Perhaps they play as sort of power pop new wave revival sound, or like the Rentals, basically, but they have an atomic alien logo, so not sure if it won't have a harder (crappy) edge to it. And 17 tracks is quite a bit, even for CDs of the mid 90's.

Album Review: The album feels like a bunch of demos at time, unfinished ideas that come off as acoustic (Waterproof) and slower meanderings (Heavens to Betsy). The music is a little powerpop, but mostly garage indie, reminding me production-wise:  a little of They Might Be Giants in the John Henry era. 

US3 was a basic vehicle for Vess Ruhtenberg's songwriting. With three albums over 4 years, they were a short lived but prolific band who never seemed to catch the break. They combined power pop with a little country and stripped down ideas, perhaps a little too many here to have a cohesive album.

Stand Out Track: Neighborhood Association, She's the Word

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Sardina - Presents

Name: Sardina 
Album: Presents
Year: 1995
Style: Indie Pop, Psych Rock, 
Similar Bands: Spinanes, Ass Ponys, Velocity Girl, Edie Brickell, Shins, Of Montreal (early)
"One-Word" Review: incense and underground coffee house pop
Based Out Of: Indianapolis, IN
Label: HitIt! Recordings

Cover & Back, Promo Sticker

CD, CD Back, Liner Notes

Presents (1995)

1. Ding Dong, The Liberty Horse 2:45
2. I'll Be Around 2:49
3. Pickled Frogs 4:08
4. He's On Drugs Again 4:26
5. Cockadoodledoo 4:29
6. The Formula 2:09
7. Hey 3:32
8. Travel And Tourism 3:17
9. Big Man 4:57
10. Antelopes 5:15
11. Wagon Wheel 5:02
12. Messy Moe 4:52

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Michelle Marchesseault - Vox, Guitar (the Gerunds)
• Marty Green - Guitar, Vox, Organ, Clarinet, Clavioline, Casiotone, Piano, Percussion, Record Player, Water Bottle
• P.J. Christine - Bass, Organ, Trumpet, Vox, Percussion (The Gerunds)
• Lonpaul Ellrich - Drums, Vox, Piano, Harmonica, Concertmate, DX7, Loops, Percussion, Record Player, Water Bottle (The Gerunds, Marmoset, United States Three)
• Vess Ruhtenberg - Slide Guitar (United States Three)
• Kent Jolly - Guitar
• George Sarikos - Accordion
• Ken Waagner - Producer
• Chris Shepard - Recording, Mixing
• Gus Mossler - Recording
• Dan Stout - Editing
• Roger Seibel - Mastering
• Bob Plant - Cover Concept
• Al Brandtner - Realization
• Gary Hannabarger - Photography
  

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but will it be classic rock, like the obvious cover & album name riffing on Led Zeppelin's Presence,  even going so far as to credit "Bob" Plant with the cover concept in the liner notes. Probably not. I'm guessing from the creative tribute and the band members, (assuming they are in the cover photo), it will be solid indie pop with a touch of punk sensibility. The promo sticker on the cover, claims hooks, chanting and psychedelia, and the members cover a bunch of instruments, per the liner notes, so this should/could be a complex sonic sound.

Album Review: The album starts out strong, with great pop tracks with hints of garage psych, and even a smattering of country- these are songs that could have been recorded today, and still sound as relevant, fresh, and not dated. But the album slows down as it reaches the conclusion, piling on the slow 4-5 minute methodical foot draggers to put you to bed. While Marchesseault is the focused singer, everyone contributes their voice to the album, giving it a depth of diversity that continues to keep it interesting. The opening track has a Ween meets Mosquitos quality to it. Pickled Frogs has a little bit of a New Pornographers sound. But I wouldn't say any of those bands typifies this band.

From the ashes of The Gerunds, most of the members came back together, auditioned friend & guitarist Marty Green, and founded Sardina. They were on the verge of big things, as evident by the competence and clear sound on their one and only album,  moved to Chicago to pursue stardom, only to have Green quit, leading to the rest band's collapse; all over a 4 year span. Their parody/tribute cover & name even got them an article in People mag, which may have been as much a negative type-cast critique of the band as it could have been a benefit from big-time press.

Stand Out Track: Pickled Frogs

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Be My Doppelganger - No Composure

Name: Be My Doppelganger
Album: No Composure
Year: 2010
Style: Pop Punk / Emo, Power-Pop, Anthemic Punk
Similar Bands: Dark Thoughts, Blink 182, Ramones, Hagfish
"One-Word" Review: Fast, Sweaty Punk-Pop
Based Out Of: Evansville, IN
Label:It's Alive Records

Cover, Download Code, Record Label Flyer, Record, Poster

Lyrics, Record, Label Catalogue, Back

No Composure (2010)

1. Ignition On 1:41
2. Big Time Joke 1:40
3. Cha Cha Chump 2:14
4. Turning Seventeen 2:55
5. Slash N Bite 0:56
6. Maybe It Was Your Fault 2:04
7. Throw A Party 1:55 / 
8. She's Takin' Hold 1:27
9. Backpack Beers 2:04
10. Situation Overload 2:20
11. Whatever Gets you 2:59
12. Ordinary Eyes 2:26
13. Peggy, Sue Me 2:15
14. Chemical Spin 2:46

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Justin Yates - Engineer, Mixing
• Adam Fletcher - Engineer, Producer, Extra Vox (Dear Landlord, Last Laugh, Moloko Plus, Copyrights, Squirtgun, Methadones, Murderburgers)
• Matt Allison Engineer, Mixing
• J. Powell - Mastering
• Matt Drastic - Mixing
• Matt Glick - Vox, Guitar (Off-Ox)
• Bradley (Glick) Anxiety - Vox, Bass, Guitar
• Thomas (Poole) - Drums, Some Guitar Noise
• Ryan Dunn - Guitar, Trident

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. but from the sweaty kid with a beer on the cover, i imagine this is a band that carves out their fanbase from the basement show routine. Punk, Metal, Scream-core, Heavy Prog are all good suggestions as to what this record could contain. The scrawled handwriting lead me to believe this will be of the rougher, angrier breed.

Album Review: These are 14 fast, snotty, angsty, youthful tracks from a band that had been around for an album and ep. They are mostly melodic two minute tracks, not one over three, with 3-chord punk, and moments of power-pop slow down if only to offset blasting off in the next section. Turning Seventeen might be the most fully developed radio-friendly song on the album with genuine catchy power pop sections, with yearning nostalgic nasally vocals, and anthemic sing alongs. Good stuff.

Stand Out Track: Turning Seventeen

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Ed Ott - Potential Collectors Item

Name: Ed Ott
Album: Potential Collectors Item
Year: 1978
Style: Comical Singer/Songwriter, Bluegrass/Country
Similar Bands: Ray Stevens, Ted Leo, Loudon Wainwright III, John Wesley Harding/Wesley Stace
"One-Word" Review: Introspective Coffee Shop Comedian with a Guitar
Based Out Of: Indiana
Label: Enigma Records, Seventeen Levels Inc.

 Cover, Record

Back & Record

Potential Collectors Item (1978)

1. Look At That Love 3:00
2. Pity Pity 3:54
3. Scatter Me 3:02
4. Shopping Mall 2:15
5. Like Bobbers on the Water 3:10
6. The Boys in the Bar 5:15 / 
7. Let's Get Old 3:01
8. Bonnie & Joe 5:06
9. Moving Away 2:42
10. Every Love Song 3:13
11. The Pleaser 2:40
12. Safe at Long Last 2:11
13. Alice the Alien Girl 2:40

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Mo Whittemore - Engineer, Produced, Arranged, Mixed, Keys
• Mark Copenhaver - Live Engineering 
• Peg Copenhaver - Live Engineering
• Craig Parmerlee - Horns Arrangement, Horns (Jim Sturgis)
• Ernest (Ed Johnson-) Ott - Producer, Vox, Guitar (The Future)
• Betty Ott - Producer 
• De De Garrard - Vox 
• Frank Fox - Vox
• Jack Stevens - Electric Guitar (Jeff Davis Group)
• Gary Brewer - Drums (Dan Mobley, Duke Tumatoe & Al Star Frogs Jim Sturgis)
• Jerry DeRome - Drums (Dan Modlin /Dave Scott)
• Kevin Stonerock - Bass (Bottom Dollar, 
• Dan Modlin - Bass
• Jim Larner - Harmonica (Mathematicians)
• Kevin Gasaway - Horns  (Jim Sturgis)
• Jack Schfele - Horns 
• Merri Mike - Announcer
• Don Garrard - Creative Consultant
• Niles Gwinn - Mgmt
• John Meyers - Cover Photo
• Thomas Jerome Newton - Photo Collage
• Phineas - Photo Collage

Unknown-ness: I never heard of this band, however, I am familiar with the baseball player Ed Ott, as he was a friend of my uncles, growing up in Central PA as kids. Just a coincidence, i'm sure. This looks to be a singer songwriter style album, since it's one guy, however, there is a touch of humor from the album title, and the sticker on the shrink wrap: "LIMITED EDITION Pressed on BLACK Vinyl."

Album Review: As expected, this is a singer-songwriter with a comedic twist in some of his songs. For Example, '78 was near the start of massive shopping malls, and his comic portrayal of them is filled with sarcasm. Now, on the other side of the shopping mall craze, quite dated (but it's nostalgically nice to hear the name drops of Radio Shack, Spencer's Gifts, B Daulton Book Sellers, Sears, etc). His voice is calm, but has a distinct Ted Leo / Wesley Stace sound at times, which makes it not just another dime a dozen vocalist with a guitar. At other times, there is a classic country/bluegrass sound that is pleasant as well. The b-side to the album was recorded live at Hummingbird Cafe in Indianapolis, with audience noise and participation. Apparently, Paul Simon was a fan.

Stand Out Track: Look At That Love, Shopping Mall

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Phyllis - s/t

Name: Phyllis

Album: s/t

Year: 2003

Style: Indie Pop-Rock

Similar Bands: Replacements, Dinosaur Jr, Superdrag, GBV, Weezer, Rentals, Evan Dando, Fig Dish

One Word Review: Lazy-Sqealing-Fuzzed-Slacker-rock.

Based Out Of: Indianapolis, Indiana

Label: self-released

Phyllis - Cover & Back

 Phyllis - Liner Notes & CD

Phyllis (2003)

1. Making You Wait 3:39
2. Pure And Simple 3:56
3. Against the Lie 2:27
4. In Matters 4:18
5. Hesitate 4:08
6. No Alternative 3:02
7. Disappointing You 4:21
8. Dave Song 3:07
9. Face the Change 5:20
10. Map of My Hometown 7:20

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:
Brett Cantrell - Vox, Guitar (PFAU, Lowercase m, The Aurelians, Las Vegas Body Snatchers, June Panic, Brian Deer & the Achievers, )

Dave Magee - Bass (lovemeknots

Dusty Privette - Drums

Randy Seals - Drums Vox, Production, Engineering (Tommy Flake, Peachfuzz)

Scott Westervelt - Guitars, Vox, Lap Steel

Mark Rocher - Engineering

Drew Seals - Engineering

Joe Welch - Vox (Jose Spinning Cortes)

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band, and with the album's minimal info and generic artwork, I can only guess that it will be some sort of indie pop. The music copywrite name is Are You Going to Eat That, so I guess they have a silly sense of humor. Perhaps that will spill over into the music.

Album Review: “Making You Wait” begins with a buzzing fade in and some anthemic fuzzed out electric guitar wailing.  These elements congeal into a chugging Weezer-Rentals style fuzzy power pop at 45 seconds. The chorus has a nice dual layered melody, and the squealing guitars are akin to Dinosaur Jr. This feels like a tribute to the style of music that was the center of popularity 10 years before.

“Pure And Simple” has a simple two note guitar tempo setting hook, and a power surge transitions the song into a slacker ballad. The vocals have the same tone as Evan Dando, but lack his melodic expertise. The chorus builds up like an emo anthem. But when the band chooses to exert energy, the blast that comes out is quite powerful, and I imagine emits a Memorex audio wind gust toward the fans.

“Against the Lie” layers the vocals in a set of two, but the lead is again, Dando-ish without the range. They offer a second of rest and spaced out, wobbling guitar before picking up the driving, chugging guitars, adding an element of Alt-Country with the slide guitar.

“In Matters” has a slow, lethargic guitar intro that is masked by a fuzzed out curtain of guitars, only to fall away when the slacker roadside hitch hiker vocals begin. The song draws out for a jam session on the same fuzzy chords for a bit too long, and ends with ringing feedback.

“Hesitate” has weary vocals song over another typical alt-rock energy support system. One that is not overly energetic, and complexly melodic. It kinds of wanders on, not grasping hold of any hook foothold.

“No Alternative” blasts off with a ringing guitar chord and spastic drumming. The vocals are different here, they are higher and more rocking, a little like the Weakerthans. The power behind the band could put this song on the popular album with the songs same name. The lyrical melody sounds a little like the Foo Fighters’ “Learn to Fly” at one part. The song ends with a fade out of feedback and fuzz.

“Disappointing You” builds steadily into a guitar whining song. The lyrics are drawn out, and take their time dripping out. The song sounds a little alt-country in the progression of the lead guitar. The building of the verse reminds me of this one Track Star song (No Big Deal or Push It).

“Dave Song” starts with a nice punk-like bass line full of nervous energy and it is followed up with guitars that match the melody and rushed pace. The vocals are distorted slightly, made to sound coarse and grimy. The song is all drive, but lacks a catchy hook in the chorus to offer a little divergence. The build-up in this case is to lead to the instrumental meltdown of dueling lead guitar wails. If the vocals were more intense and not so deadpan, this could have been a Nirvana parody song.

“Face the Change” slows it down with an introspective rhythm guitar hook. A squealy lead guitar interweaves with the basic hook, and the relaxed vocals pull the song upward and onward into the sky. This song has a 70’s AOR, smooth rock vibe to it in the verse, until the fuzzy, buzzing guitars take over in the chorus. The end of the song ramps up the guitar and vocals, but like any song, it eventually just fades out.

“Map of My Hometown” begins with a nice driving drum beat and a bouncy bass line. Seeing that the song is 7+ minutes long, however, I don’t expect the song to stay so tight. The vocals begin and they gently float along kinda psychedelic-like over the musically precise backbone. The guitars ring out and echo over top the steady tempo. The vocals in the chorus are layered, and keep up the spacey guitar image.

Stand Out Track: Making You Wait

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Matty Pop Chart - Good Old Water

Name: Matty Pop Chart
Album: Good Old Water:
Year: 2005
Style: Folk, Indie, Twee
Similar Bands: Tullycraft, Beulah, Mosquitos, Ed's Redeeming Qualities, Neil Halsted
One Word Review: Airy Strums
Based Out Of: Bloomington, IN
Label: Friends & Relatives Records, Plan-It X Records

Good Old Water - Cover, Credits, CD

Good Old Water - Back, Lyrics

Good Old Water (2005)

1. For Chris 1:49
2. Ghost Dream 2:48
3. Springtime II 1:38
4. Jimmy Jam 3:27
5. Wedding Song 2:20
6. The Sun Lights Strong 2:31
7. For Erin 3:13
8. Jason Dear 2:57
9. Floating Dreams 3:13
10. The Wind 2:58
11. Toy Piano 1:38
12. Jimmy Jam II 7:48

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:
Justin Vollmar - Recording, elec Guitar, Singing

Matt Tobey - Vox, Guitar, Baritone Ukulele, Percussion, Piano, Violin, Toy Piano (Abe Froman, Ghost Mice, Your Heart Breaks, Memory Map, Mt Gigantic, Good Luck, Lily & Madeleine)

Erin Tobey - Vox, Layout

David Combs - Vox, Ukulele (Spoonboy, Max Levine Ensemble)

Theo Hilton - Vox, Guitar (Nana Grizol, Defiance, Ohio)

Kimya Dawson - Vox (Moldy Peaches, Uncluded, Bundles, )

Chris Johnston - Vox

Hannah Jones - Vox

Mike Dixon - Mastering

Brian Chase - Manatee Photo

Unknown-ness: I’ve never heard of the band. But I picked up the CD in a local thrift shop because I appreciated the bulky, paper cut artwork. The name sounds like a fun playful experience, so I am hoping the music will carry that naïve, juvenile feeling through.

Album Review: Whoever bought this probably did so because Kimya Dawson from the Moldy Peaches is named as a band member, but they must have gotten rid of it since her participation is not that much or obvious. I looked up Matt Tobey since 2005, and last year, he made a concept EP dedicated to his neighbor and internet superstar, Bubs the cat. He’s also in two bands currently, but I’ve not delved into their catalogues or styles.

“For Chris” is a very nasally vocals and acoustic strummed guitar. The vocals have a very Tullycraft feel to them, but even more nasally. Drums and slide guitar join in, and the rollicking, folksy song.

“Ghost Dream” is lighter and sounds like a late night porch memory. There are layered vocals, giving it depth, but it has a very airy feel, and a slight country vibe. At one point toward the end, it almost gets rocking, but it thinks better of itself, and finishes out the song on a somber note.

“Springtime II” is a bouncy acoustic-plucked number with bongo percussion. It is fun and dancey, but short. There is a pause in the song that would make you think it is another track, but it comes back into the familiar melody.

“Jimmy Jam” follows suit with a light and airy dreamy song of just vocals + strum/plucked guitars. The vocals feel very close to the front of the production mix. The harmonized chorus of vocals lifts the song out of the steady but happy monotony.

“Wedding Song” is again, just guitar played with the nasally vocals. The Vocals are sung in a rambling style, and the light, pleasant guitar work could be used as guests arrive to be seated. The song includes violin too, which brings a tinge of sadness to the joyful melody.

“The Sun Light's Strong” sounds like a Muppet floating in a small row boat, just bouncing with the waves in a very care free manor. Again, the song is just guitars and vocals. The vocals singing the song title chorus is harmonized and positive.

“For Erin” is a side to side somber song. At 1:20, the song picks up and drums and tambourine are added and the song’s sway becomes more obvious. The pace picks up ever so slightly toward the end, and the repetitive loop of a melody ceases, and relaxes. The instrumentation goes away, and the song finishes up right where it started.

“Jason Dear” parallels the second track on the album is slightly sunny, airy folk strumming. For the most part it is a practice in repetition, until a second guitar is layered over the rhythm at the end.

“Floating Dreams” is a continuation of side to side head swaying. The vocals are not as pronounced here, and there is a just little extra oomph behind the percussive guitar.

“The Wind” starts, only seeming like a pause in the song before, rather than a whole new track. This song slows down a little further, and the bit of echo on the strumming makes me think of sitting on a beach in Hawaii. There are also beach references, so the mood and lyrics match up knowingly.

“Toy Piano” is exactly as it is named. It sounds like a rickety toy, nearing the point of collapsing on itself. There are no vocals on this track, it just sounds like a wind-up toy or a snow globe. The second verse through really speeds things up, and it evokes a carnival sound, not unlike what Madness will sometimes use. And as if it were a wound up toy, it slows down at the end to a crawl, and mimicking it even further, it plays one song after you think it is done.

“Jimmy Jam II” employs the toy piano in this faster swaying song. Lots of “guest” vocals are used for support. This song also feels a lot like Tully Craft and Beulah in pace and its rolling-melody vocal style. The song only lasts 2:13, but the empty track keeps going until 7:22, when a foreign marching song for 2 short versus is hidden for 26 seconds. 

Stand Out Track: For Chris

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Math & Science - s/t

Name: Math & Science

Album: s/t

Year: 2001

Style: Smooth Pop

Similar Bands: Inflatable Men, The Eels, Apples In Stereo/Marbles, Bicycle, Lincoln, Fountains Of Wayne, Lightning Seeds, Marxy

"One Word" Review: Shiny Harmless Computer Pop

Based out of: Indianapolis, IN -> LA, CA

Label: Brick Red Records

  Math & Science: Cover (source: Amazon)

 Math & Science: CD & CD tray

Math & Science: Back

Math & Science (2001)

1. Disguise 3:50
2. Words 3:23
3. She Left Me 3:38
4. Soundbite 4:21
5. Eternity 4:00
6. Cool Me Down 3:48
7. Airstream On The Highway 3:18
8. Naked 4:31
9. In Your Movie 3:09
10. Forget About Here 4:03
11. Fifteen 3:42
12. Digitize 2:54

Album Rating (1-10): 9.0

Members & Other Bands:

John Wolf - Instrumentation, Producer (PJ Olssen, Crumb)

Aram Arslanian - Organ (PJ Olssen, Champion)

Goldo [Paul Goldowitz] - Scratching (Ye Olde English)

Phil Blackman - Mixing

Marina Chavez - Photography

Kristin Hambsch - Creative Director

David Mitson - Mastering

Janet Wolsborn - Art Direction

Peggy Zier - Logo Design

Unknown-ness: I must have heard of these guys back in 2001, but never paid attention to them. I got their album as a coverless cut out in a discount bin, but I have no idea what it is like. I must have liked something about it to buy the album back then, so I’m going to assume it is some catchy pop. With a name like Math & Science, perhaps it is complex, calculated math rock, which would live up to the nerdy/geeky & old fashioned nature of the album art.

Album Review: The album is pretty catchy pop-rock, with a concentration of electronic flurries and smooth production. It is basically a one man show on this album, it seems he is still using the moniker M&S and has a new(ish) album on bandcamp.

“Disguise” has a fun Apples in Stereo (especially their 2010’s Travelers in Space & Time) fade up, and electronic futuristic approach. Smooth, meek, nearly computerized vocals, overlayered for the chorus. But the dancy tune is instantly catchy and completely approachable. The delivery in the chorus is fulfilling as it explodes.

“Words” has a Lincoln-esq wha-wha, jammy band bass line, and is more straightforward pop. Again, the vocals are light and fey, and they again explode in the chorus with energy and sound. The melody is fun to follow along with and the chorus is a nice building hook. After two segments, they have a reprise of the melody slightly rearrange, but identifiably similar. The repetition of the chorus at the end solidifies the hook in your head. It ends with a fade out of the chorus spoken through a computer vocoder minus the music accompaniment.

“She Left Me” is a slower lament, but still has shiny production. It feels like the sadness in the vocals are leading somewhere, but they don’t really ever get there. The chorus feels exactly like Fountains of Wayne. No other way to describe it.

“Soundbite” has a liquidy Apples in Stereo pop guitar hook. The vocals are whispering in your ear, but come off as clear as sunshine. This song sounds like Fountains of Wayne covering a Lightning Seeds song, particularly in the side to side grooving chorus. The bridge that leads up to the chorus builds the anticipation nicely, even chipping in a dramatic pause or a glittery keyboard flourish.

“Eternity” is a nerdy computer programmed love song. It has a great build, but at the same time, its non-threatening nature is unparalleled. It floats along on mechanical, wobbly cloudy bursts of glee. There is a certain programmed aspect of this song that dates it to a type of production that was popular in the indie-pop music of the early aughts.

“Cool Me Down” is exactly as it sounds. The vocals come down from the euphoric high of the previous song. There is a summertime in the suburbs feel to the song, perhaps a dance in a sprinkler or an open hydrant via the twinkling keyboard and soothing vocals. Then the song breaks tradition and becomes energetic with a higher octave reprise of the chorus that just shows the depth of which M&S is capable. It comes back at the end of the song for a great “remember this” visit and expansion.

“Airstream On The Highway” is a head nodding groove with slightly distorted vocals and a care free atmosphere. Again, this song paints a picture that parallels the topic of the song very well, even throwing in a harmonic for a middle America cross country trip feel. The song ends with more harmonica.

“Naked” is sung through a bucket, and keeps that harmonica going. This is a darker, simpler groove that is grittier than the rest of the album.

“In Your Movie” is a funky guitar distorted and scratched pop song. The vocals are waveringly polite, and the melody flows very organically. As was popular in the time, there are a bunch of unnecessary record scratching sounds. This song sounds just like anything on the s/t album by Bicycle, which probably no one else would remember. The chorus features a mash up of so many styles from pop to a little Hawaiian guitar to the aforementioned scratching, to funky wha-wha guitars, which end the song.

“Forget About Here” is a quiet, sullen track, with just acoustic guitar, and a twinkling of keyboards underneath. A drum machine is added with a echoing crash style. This song reminds me most of Lincoln, again, and features more organic melodies. At the end of the song they take opportunity of the organic nature by offering other variants of the basic hook.

“Fifteen” starts with some basic power pop chord changes, filtered through the production of the era. There is no echoing power, the sounds are clean and precise. The chorus is a siren of energy, at least the synth in the background sounds like a siren. It is bold and dense yet still remains catchy and Fountains of Wayne-y. The song is a thoughtful tribute to being 15, and how it was the singer’s ideal year. The end features the main thoughtful lyric wind down, like a computer crashing, and the rest of the song fades out.

“Digitize” is a wind down from the album, and begins with an electric, fuzzy guitar. After two sets of the verse, the vocals are double layered to form a bridge that leads back to the verse, with an extra wha-wha guitar in the background. The liquid guitar plays a “solo” melody vocal parallel, and the song winds down before it ever has a chance to get going. Which, unfortunately is a apt metaphor for this album. It was really good, but never took off, and therefore, it winded down before it got a chance to get going.

Stand Out Track: Disguise

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