After two stellar fuzz-pop releases by two amazing artists — The Pains of Being Pure At Heart and Liechtenstien — I was expecting more of the same from the self-titled LP by Bricolage. However, expectations were fallacious; Bricolage has more in common with label mates The Lodger than the aforementioned duo. “Bayonets” is the opening track off Bricolage and while it lacks the fuzz, it more than makes up in highly upbeat Euro-sounding pop.

More specifically, Bricolage hails from Glasgow and their sound can not only be likened to that of labelmates The Lodger, but also 80s underground pop greats like Orange Juice and The Pastels. Bricolage’s self-titled LP is out now on Slumberland Records.

Bricolage: Bayonets [mp3]

Every so often I got on a label kick. The latest label to succumb to my addiction is Slumberland Records. Included in my foray are a few wonderful indie-pop artists and the first to get coverage from the attack is Liechtenstein.

First, a step back. I’ve covered Slumberland a few times in the past year or so. They gave us the latest albums by Sarandon and The Lodger. And most recently, they made waves with The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart.

Lichtenstien follows these artists well, delivering indie pop greats like “Roses In The Park” off their recent LP Survival Strategies In A Modern World. Their songs feature consistent snare-heavy percussion, multi-female vocals, and deeply distorted guitars. The result is somewhere between The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart and Crystal Stilts.

The production is where Liechtenstein stands out. The vocals are at the forefront with the percussive beats not far behind. Taking a back seat is the guitar, providing the perfect subtle accent to the true mastery — vocal harmony.

Liechtenstein: Roses In The Park [mp3]

I’ll admit, Crystal Stilts self-titled EP and debut full-length Alight Of Night passed me by a bit. Don’t get me wrong – I love the sound. It just failed to live up to the garage-pop that was Up Against The Legends by The Legends and was soon to be The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart by The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. But that has all changed. Enter “Love Is A Wave”.

Now I’m ready to revisit the fourteen-plus tracks from those earlier releases. I’m ready to digest anything and everything Crystal Stilts, thanks to “Love Is A Wave”. Sure, those songs aren’t a far cry from this new one, so I’m sure I’ll be kicking my own ass in due time. But God! Listen to that guitar and the warped/muddled percussion! The deep vocals are a tell-tale sign of those earlier tunes, but here it has… something… something else that is a bit more invigorating and enchanting.

“Love Is A Wave” is the A-side and title track to Crystal Stilts upcoming 7″, and featuring B-side “Sugar Baby”. The single will be release late this month on Slumberland. And in the case you missed Alight Of Night, I’ve also included “Shattered Shine” below.

Crystal Stilts: Love Is A Wave [mp3]

Crystal Stilts: Shattered Shine [mp3]

Watching a movie like Darren Aronofsky’s Pi – a brilliant black and white film about a mathematician attempting to find pattern in the stock market, and further, a pattern for the universe – it’s easy to think about just how significant patterns are. More specifically, and also relating to the film, how spirals and cycles come into everyday life. The recent cycle: I am once again diving back into a hard love of indiepop and twee. And the latest album by The Lodger simply adds fuel to the fire.

It’s no wonder, as the band’s influences pull from many groups that have either influenced modern indiepop or were part of the twee movement: The Go Betweens, Aztec Camera, The Wedding Present… you get the picture. Add to that the cool surprise return of Slumberland Records, who you may recall was once associated with such names as the Velocity Girl and The Swirlies. (The label is back, also releasing the new Sarandon… stay tuned.)

Life Is Sweet is packed with beautiful pop melodies and is the group’s sophomore release. First single “The Good Old Days” is a super catchy English pop tune with a lovable melody and massive pop hooks. It’s easy to hear that band front-man Ben Siddall is a bit of a guitar pop genius, one with thorough knowledge of the English pop tune.

The trio goes above and beyond, picking up some fairly unique instruments for indie-pop, like the 12-string guitar and lap steel. Others are more standard: your simple six-string acoustic and violin. Ubeat tunes like “My Finest Hour” and “The Conversation” will make you fall in love with the group. Even the softer sides of The Lodger in “Honey” maintain super catchy hooks. For fans of traditional Engish-based indiepop, I can see this ending up on several year’s-end best-of lists.

This review was originally published May 20, 2008 on the old version of FensePost.

The Lodger: The Good Old Days [mp3]

Slumberland [CD, 2008]

1. My Finest Hour
2. The Good Old Days
3. Falling Down
4. Honey
5. The Conversaion
6. A Hero’s Welcome
7. A Year Since last Summer
8. An Unwelcome Guest
9. Running Low
10. Nothing Left (To Say)
11. Famous Last Words