opinions were like kittens i was giving them away. -modest mouse
there's nothing as something as one. -e. e. cummings
The Stereotypes 3 music review
Discuss The Stereotypes and all of your favorite musicians in our music forums.
Have you heard this album? Give us your rating above, 5 being best.
The Stereotypes 3
Empyrean Records
Summertime is just around the corner. It's grazing the hedges and
shining
down heavily as the schools slowly begin to empty themselves until
Fall. The
road that lies ahead is predictable: summer loves, summer jobs and
summer
getaways. There's going to be a need for a soundtrack for all of that.
Track listing:
1. Emily
2. My New Friend
3. Til We Meet Again
4. Need Some Action
5. Did You Know
6. Kill Keys Money & Jewelry
7. Dontcha Think
8. Don't Say A Thing
9. Down To Earth
10. Triangle Girl
The Leftovers EP:
1. No Leftovers
2. Prettiest Girl
3. Skinny Penny
4. Dontcha Think
5. Ice Cold Kisses
6. Dark Room
The Stereotypes know it all too well, being bred from San Diego, a city
that
emanates the summer sun. Their latest album 3 (Earthling, Empyrean
Records,
2005) has been released just in time to become familiar and a possible
theme
song for relaxing in the hammocks. The band, despite releasing three
albums
to date, is so obscure that there is no member listing for the
bandmates.
Despite the lack of information, the album itself isn’t too bad. In the
beginning, vocals resemble Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, supported by
jangly
pop and power-driven riffs pulled through by solid drumming.
‘Til We Meet Again’ is the most notable for the season with samba beats
and
a nice, Travis demeanor. But then gears change rapidly with ‘Need Some
Action’, with its heavy, pumping fuzz box and borderline Rolling Stones
setup. The guitar riffs practically echo over ‘Brown Sugar’.
3 possesses a good-natured quality feel, like three good college
buddies
that meet up once a week to jam together, joined by their closest
mutual
friends.
‘Did You Know’ is incandescently pretty. It’s as fair as the summer sky
and
as passively in your face as a gentle swirling breeze. There’s songs
just
like this one throughout the album, and then tracks like ‘Kill Keys
Money &
Jewelry’ which are tip-of-the-tongue familiar but always one step and
beat
ahead before you can place it. ‘Dontcha Think’ even ends up being an
alternative country instrumental.
A moment is captured in ‘Don’t Say A Thing’, which sounds distant and
scratchy like a demo tape, more so like a by-chance recording. This
sound
effect added a lot to the track, and all in all, 3 is a wandering album
that
makes for a nice walk-through.
There’s no need to be wary of the EP that follows, either. The
Leftovers is
actually a straight extension of the album itself. There isn’t a
difference
in the tracks at all. Although claimed to have been outtakes, it makes
the
EP all the more impressive.
3 is a blend of softer 60s music, combined with just enough lo-fi to
enhance
its overall sound. Summer is nearing, and who better to listen to than
three
men who know the inviting weather so well that they project it through
their
music.
