Pop etc.. -‘Pop etc..’ (Rough Trade)
What’s in a name? Well, apparently, the California trio used to go by the name The Morning Benders (apparently Bender isn’t pejorative slang for homosexual in all parts of the world). Now, I haven’t heard their previous work, so I’m pretty much coming to this fresh and taking it at face value.
And several listens in, I am hugely enjoying this. The album cover may be some wry comment on whether labels mean anything; this music might have been considered avant garde at one point, pop at another, electronica at yet another point. It is, however, hugely enjoyable. And it’s lovely and summery.
That, of course, can depend where you are (it’s well into June and here in Scotland at best it’s been humid and overcast), but this hits the mark for a gorgeous, summer-suitable album. Sharp and clever, without showing off, tunes like ‘Everything Is Gone,’ ‘Back To Your Heart’ and the opening ‘New Life’ are particularly excellent tracks on what is a very fine album indeed. ‘R.Y.B.’ is perhaps a bit below par, perhaps (like a demo for a boyband, but we’ll let that pass).
Call it what you want, call the band what you want, the main point is that you can track it down and get this on your stereo.
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POP ETC.. is released on Rough Trade on June 11.