"MUSIC RUNNING AROUND ON FIRE!"
So here is yet another one of those CD's that Chris lost for like 10 years (okay, I'm exaggerating, a little). I was actually excited when he handed me this CD to review though, as I had heard very good things about them when I lived in San Fran. And they were spot-on just what I expected and was hoping for- dazed out "shoegazer" brain candy. Since this CD was put out in 2001, I was curious if they still existed, so I did a little extra research and to my deep pleasure and surprise, they actually are working on a fifth CD. They have the obvious MBV and Slowdive and Ride influences that make you feel like someone slipped a little something strange in your Diet Coke. Listening to this band makes me feel very relaxed and peaceful, like I am one of the ghosts at Disneyland's Haunted Mansion ride dancing around in that big ballroom, but in slow motion. Its that kind of romantic melancholy that makes you wonder if vampires really do exist. Or maybe I just read too much Anne Rice as a teenager? Anyway, it's dazzling and enchanting and I am in love with it.
I like the swirly psychedelic cover and a couple of the song names, i.e. "Moonflower" and "Phased and Confused". I also liked the cool photo inside the CD. That said, this is not really my taste in music. Its that techno, electro, ravey stuff that I very rarely find myself in the mood to listen to. It makes me feel like I should be in the middle of a hot and sweaty, crowded dance floor all jacked up on Red Bull or whatever else and since it's like 174 degrees in L.A. right now, this does not sound like my idea of fun. This CD did inspire me to finally mop my kitchen floor and wash the dishes and vacuum the living room, so that was a nice little benefit of listening to this type of music. They do seem to do what they do rather well, I can tell that much at least. So, if I was into this type of music, I would probably like them. They should send their CD into that fairly new 'zine called Joint. See how nice and helpful I am? Just trying to do what I can. 
MMMmmm....aaahhhh...hhhmmmmm...so pretty...can barely write...this music is so ethereal and bewitching it almost puts you into an involuntary meditative state. Yes, there are definite Low and The Hope Blister comparisons. This is real 4AD style stuff. Major slowcore and mellow. The vocals perfectly celestial, like the voice of a sultry siren calling you into her. It kind of makes you feel like you are a big, white marshmallow lazily floating around in the sky, enraptured by this strange mix of beauty and sorrow, making you feel like crying. Then the third song, "On Sunday", sort of switches gears on you just a little bit- it gets into an almost Curve sound, but still keeping with the slow tempo. The only bad thing- this is an e.p. and therefore only has 5 songs. I can't even recommend a favorite or two because they are all good. I heard they do have a full length CD coming out soon though! Silverlake, CA sure does turn out some mighty fine musicians!
I'm always leary of listening to CDs we get with the generic demo packaging, but I guess we've been lucky so far. (I am a graphic artist after all.) 80% of the time, if I like the CD art, I can usually tell if it is a band I'll like. It's weird, but true. This is nice punk rock from the All / Descendents school of music. To be honest I wish there were more songs here on this 4 song demo, but I guess all CDs have to end sometime. I had a few early 90s flashbacks listening to this, but it isn't an outdated sound at all. It's nice, but not too clean, punk rock and they don't need computers like Blink 182 to clean up a few sloppy beats or guitar riffs.Send Tapes, CDs, or Demos to:
No-Fi "Magazine"
attn: Reviews
4323 Perlita Avenue, #11
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Los Angeles, CA 90065
Generally, we like to receive 2 copies of everything (1 for review and one for possible airplay on No-Fi "Radio"). Please do not send original masters, nor any payola (we do like stickers and any other promotional materials though). DO NOT send us MP3s via e-mail. We would accept them on CD or zip disc, but our e-mail accounts can not handle the size of MP3s at this time.
For any other information, E-Mail Chris Beyond at the link below.
