RIYL: The Shins, MGMT, Neutral Milk Hotel
Taking a cue from Panic! At the Disco, The Morning Benders formally decided earlier this year to change their name to “POP ETC”. World chaos ensued, as did auto-tuned vocals. Things seemed so much simpler back in 2008 when The Benders followed up some well-received EP’s with their first full-length Talking Through Tin Cans.
Like so many virtuous adventures, the saga began at UC Berkeley. There was MySpace, there were bloggers, there was front man Chris Chu recording his unique brand of indie-pop on a laptop. Hype followed. Lots of it. The band was already opening for Death Cab for Cutie when Tin Cans dropped, an album that would eventually be named best indie/alternative album of 2008 by iTunes.
It’s easy to see why the album garnered such praise. The songs are loaded with hooks and interesting chord changes and Chu’s vocal harmonies consistently and effortlessly evoke James Mercer of The Shins. The finished product feels like a great album, rather than a few hit singles with loads of filler.
“Damnit Anna” starts the set strong with propulsive drum rolls and strummy guitar, and like many of the tunes it’s all the more likable for being short and to the point. “Patient Patient” is ridiculously catchy, with Chu using falsetto to deliver the adorable refrain, “Doctor Doctor/ Won’t you give me the love I’m after/…All it takes is a little commitment/ I’m a Patient Patient.”
Two minutes of gentle balladry in “Heavy Hearts” gives way to 1.5 perfect minutes of sea sick moaning and emotionally charged lament. “Wasted Time” continues in this vein as the album veers into more moody indie-rock territory for most of the final half.
Since the release of Talking Through Tin Cans, The Morning Benders have gradually move towards a more pop-oriented electronic sound, culminating in the identity crisis that is POP ETC. Technically, The Benders are no more, they’ve been ousted by a flash mob buy levitra soft of modernity, but that only makes the songs on Tin Cans sound more sweet.
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More Information
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http://www.themorningbenders.com/home.htm
http://www.myspace.com/themorningbenders
http://www.plusonemusic.net/records
