Friday, July 25, 2008

Unicycle Loves You


(2008 - High Wheel Records)

Without a doubt it's my biases from the 90's that make me think of Chicago's independant music community as a haven for for self-importantly dour experimentalism and stuffy artistes who'd rather have the critics call them "important" than create an enjoyable ditty of the toe-tapping variety. With all the major southeastern scenes undergoing such remarkable facelifts in the last few years I guess it's way past the time that I should dispose of my Shytown expectations especially given the upbeat bounciness created by bands like Unicycle Loves You.
Waiting a couple years to release a debut album is usually a good sign that the band in question is going to produce something that's worth your attention. Formed in 2006 by Jim Carrol (and no not THAT Jim Carrol), ULY have an eclectic yet well-defined sound. Every song on their self-titled debut takes its cues from a slightly different source, selecting musical elements from the last few decades of pop music in a way that compliments the arrangement without stretching the limits of ULY's overall style. Lovely vocal harmonies and catchy, guitar driven hooks ride with confidence over enegeticly upbeat percussion creating some of the most engaging power pop of 2008 so far.
The lyrics dance around subjects giving quick snatches of a half realized picture but never fully revealing their relevance to the casual listner. Even the male/female trade-off that occurs during "Under 18" incorporates the same juxtaposition of disseperate trains of thought rendering it an insular exorcise that refuses to give up its true meaning to anyone but the songwriter himself. Could be obviewscation. Could be stylization. Could just be that last wall between ego and audience that needs to come down before Carroll's full potential as a songwriter can be fully tapped.

Saturday, July 05, 2008

Rocket Club! Tonight! EAR PWR! Love It!

Photobucket

This may or may not be the kids' last local show til after their big multi month national tour.

If you need some convining here's a link to my Mountain Xpress article about em

www.mountainx.com/ae/2008/041608earpwr