We Are / She Is
Name Game
After a hard week listing to post-modern jazz and earnest alt country Americana artists, it’s nice to slip into some unpretentious power pop by an all-girl band. After all, a guy like me can only survive so much earnest “save the world and recycle your organic yogurt container” public service announcements. This hip yet not-quite Hip Hop EP offers five cuts that bring me back to the sun-drenched days of The Go-Go’s and The Bangles and Cyndi Lauper, back when Reagan was president and we could rail against the Russians without having to actually invade them.
“Voices” takes a cheap synth line and a manual drum kit and overlays it with the breathy voice of a woman who can pass for whatever age you need her to be. The lyrics sing “in the fire… in the fire… in the fire …” and whatever the voices say to throw in that fire I’m good with – I don’t have to think so hard to enjoy. The urgent “Ricochet” is bouncy and high-energy and I have no idea what it’s about, but who cares if you can pogo and mosh with that cute girl across the pit? “Simple Days” offers a stripped down Martha and the Muffins sound; she’s ditching a guy and who knows? The rebound sex could be Tony the Tiger GRRREAT! It’s your move. Start by checking these gals out – it’s the sort of old-school fun every Sandra Dee movie pitched without showing anyone doing the Roger Corman nasty.
