Sunday, November 06, 2005

the brunettes - when ice met cream [ep review]

[Lil’ Chief, 2005]
***1/2

Fresh from tours with big-name US indie-pop bands The Shins and Rilo Kiley, New Zealand band The Brunettes are back with even more quirky and romantic material. It’s all sweet, bubblegum indie-pop with the usual irony and hints of sardonic wit that were more evident on Mars Loves Venus than the pure sugar-coated Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks. Retrospective to various degrees (mainly 50s and 60s), this six-track EP shows the Brunette’s sound evolving into something more mature, even if their shtick is fundamentally young and playful. The boy/girl dynamics are terrific as usual – Heather Mansfield’s voice is beautiful and works well with Jonathan Bree’s. Another great record for this summer’s soirees.

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