First Gasp! EP

VINYL FORMAT. 'Pretty close to Sleepyhead and/or the Mommyheads in name and task, NYC's the Sloppy Heads continue in a tradition of area pop bands given to brainy, possibly over-educated, ebullient modes of creative expression. Curiously, they start their approach with a ballad, and it's a classic in the making: "Noland (2 Souls in Confusion)" trades off a simple, last-call reverb guitar melody, as male and female vocalist trade stanzas about two self-deprecatory romantics. It's as stirring as it is comforting. B-sides are "I Need Yr Luv" (three chords, some intrusive synth, and a big oversexed heart) and "The Electric Momz," dimly chilled-out strum that plays like a tribute to Small Factory. These are not bad things! Really stands out in a pack of new bands trying to adhere to some genre they can't possibly improve upon . . . records like these make me wonder if 1991 begins next month. Fine by me. Oh, one last thing: IT'S NOT LO-FI! Thank fucking Christ people are starting to pull away from that sonic millstone. These songs ably recorded by Kid Millions of Oneida. Good times inside.' - Doug Mosurock // Still Single