A while ago, we covered Thunder Power’s new track “Heartifact” off their upcoming split 10″ EP with The 1959 Hat Company. Finally available is a track from the other half of that record. The 1959 Hat Company has made “Intersection” available, and we’re pretty stoked about this one. I’ve been curious about the Ohio-based band since my pal Keenan (Iji, Patients Please) introduced me to them two or three years ago. Not surprisingly, it follows the similar path of many other bands Keegan and I have discussed at length — Tullycraft, Math & Physics Club, and Bears.

“Intersection” is a dreamy indie pop tune full with lo-fi, raw jangle guitar riffs, soft and subtle horns, and immensely lovable vocals. They label themselves as DreamyAsFuck-Futuristic-Psych-Soul-Pop-Bubblegum-Indie-Garage-Surf-Orchestral-GirlGroup, and (surprisingly) the description, as bizarre as it may sound, fits damn near perfectly. “Intersection” is a song for the true indie pop loves, those with a predilection toward labels like Happy Happy Birthday To Me (they appeared on a HHBTM comp), Matinee Recordings, and Magic Marker Records. Dig any of those labels, and The 1959 Hat Company will be a hit in your book.

The album is the first in a series of split records available only on vinyl through Slumber Party Records.

Download: “Intersection” by The 1959 Hat Company

Thunder Power seems content to just dish out EPs, having given us quite a few since they debuted in 2008 with Love Yourself. A split between Thunder Power and The 1959 Hat Company, Hearts Intersect is their fourth proper EP, and it hits in early March via Slumber Party Records.

Honestly, “Heartifact” is Thunder Power’s strongest tune since “Take A Hike” and “Casanova” off Love Yourself. Their second and third EPs, Friend Ships and And Everything After… respectively, were solid in their own right, but they failed to capture that powerful got-your-attention tune. The song finds the band’s male vocal counterpart taking the lead (for those unfamiliar with this band, Thunder Power often switches between male- and female-fronted vocals). With him in front and her taking back-up, Thunder Power crafts delicate, lovable central US folk-pop.

For all I care, Thunder Power never has to release a full-length as long as they keep dishing out power singles like “Heartifact” and EPs like Love Yourself and Heart Intersect.

Thunder Power: Heartifact [mp3]

Thunder Power also hits the road in March. Check out the dates below, and visit their MySpace page as more SXSW dates will be announced soon.

03.07: O’Leaver’s Pub in Omaha, NE
03.12: The Replay Lounge in Lawrence, KS
03.13: NX35 Music Conferette in Denton, TX
03.14: NX35 Music Conferette in Denton, TX
03.16: The Parlor in Austin, TX

Thunder Power’s EP Love Yourself… was filled with infective pop songs that earned it consistency on my 2008 playlist. And Everything After, to the contrary, features stripped-down pop. It’s less upbeat, has less volume, but luckily maintains the greatness of Thunder Power’s other work. “Ship In A Bottle” finds the two primary vocalist, both of opposing sexes, harmonizing beautifully. “Sleep, Not Violence” begins slowly but also features a selection of harmony vocals.

The other three tracks — “Blood Water”, “Postscript”, and “Sleep, Not Violence” — are not proprietary to And Everything After. All three were initially released on a rare Thunder Power / Alessi’s Ark split. Repurposed for this release, one can hear the difference between the group’s early sounds and their current ones (“Ship In A Bottle” and “Burden Of Proof”); the three early tracks are filled with softer, slower pop melodies, while the new have a sound more like that found on Love Yourself….

Whatever the song, it doens’t discount the fact that Thunder Power is an excellent band with amazing potential. They proved it with Love Yourself… and they definitely do so again with And Everything After.

Thunder Power: Ship In A Bottle [mp3]

Slumber Party Records [CDEP, 2009]

1. Blood Water
2. Ship In A Bottle
3. Postscript
4. Sleep, Not Violence
5. Burden Of Proof

Written by Fense

If you know me, you know I love carefree, youthful pop music. This wintery pop gem is just that. The video is also a fun little ditty. The song can be found on Thunder Power‘s debut EP, Love Yourself on Nebraska imprint Slumber Party Records. It’s a brief five songs, but believe me, it’s worth it.

The music is packed with upbeat pop melodies, perfect for a chilly winter day. Featuring the dreary, sleepy vocals of Kacynna Tompsett, Thunder Power boasts six members, all longtime friends. So there’s no worry that their first will be their last — I’m sure we all have plenty to look forward to from this sextet.

And we won’t have to wait long. Word is, they’ll be releasing a split EP with British songwriter Alessi Laurent-Marke, aka Alessi’s Ark. That one will be on Zooey Records.

Thunder Power: (Why Don’t You Go) Take A Hike [mp3]

“Take a Hike” Thunder Power from Lindsay Trapnell on Vimeo.