Kerry Alexander
, principal songwriter and lead vocalist with
Bad Bad Hats
, was a big fan of
the Breeders
when she was growing up, and "Let Me In," the first track on the band's self-titled fourth album, sounds like the lost track from
Last Splash
, with its rubbery bassline, the spartan funk of the drums, and the playful snap of the melodies and
Alexander
's manipulated vocals. The track is good enough to announce itself as homage rather than plagiarism, and it sets the stage well for the album.
is a spunky and joyous exercise in pure pop for smart people, every bit as clever as
's role model
Kim Deal
and with just enough tart snark in the lyrics to make this refreshing without being sugary. At times,
and her musical partner
Chris Hoge
recall vintage
ESG
in their ability to generate a catchy melody and a toe-tapping groove out of minimal ingredients, though this has too much of their own personality to be anything other than
, and
and
Hoge
's production and arrangements are resourceful enough to sound full and satisfying even when a careful listen reveals there's no more than guitar, bass, drum programs, and vocals. (Oh, and sometimes keyboards.) As a lyricist,
can be effortlessly witty -- only a Floridian who relocated to the Midwest could pen a love/hate letter to the Sunshine State like "TPA" -- and when she's getting more serious about bad relationships and things in the world that bother her, she does so with clever wordplay that cuts deeper than a full-frontal lyrical attack. As a testimony of love, lines like "When I die, I want you to have my CDs" and "I love you like the movies" connect with the heart just as well as the head. In a better world, the crunchy but impassioned "My Heart Your Heart" would be the single of the summer with its indie pop genius. (And "Meter Run" would be an ideal follow-up.)
is thoroughly enjoyable from front to back, and it's so charming it takes a while to be aware of the strength of the craft, but let this music sink in and you'll have this on repeat all day long. ~ Mark Deming