The Promise Ring
Electric Pink EP
Jade Tree
Open the doors, let the breeze come through the office as we pack for the road trip. Don’t forget the picnic basket. Or Electric Pink.
Summertime pop hooks have been sharpened to the point of being insidiously natural as they continue to leave more and more of their emo history in the past. The catchy word play and chorus of the title track brings a grin every time. “Strictly Television” kicks the dancing-in-your-seat boppingness followed by the melancholy acoustic balladry of “American Girl.” “Make Me a Mix Tape” makes me cringe a bit for its triteness, but darned if I don’t leave it playing when it comes on, and indeed, find myself singing along. Lyrical references to Hüsker Dü, the Cars, Duran Duran, and U2 in the rhyme scheme are a simple enough hook for me to stay amused and sing along.
Jade Tree, 2310 Kennwynn Rd., Wilmington, DE 19810; http://www.jadetree.com
