When thinking of bedroom pop, one of the things you shouldn’t do is forget about labels that help pave the way for the underground as we know it. K Records, a label run by Beat Happening’s Calvin Johnson, is one still chugging along with new artists such as Chicago’s breakout wünderkind Sharp Pins—known as Kai Slater. Radio DDR is Slater”s latest release of candy coated bedroom power pop.
From the very jump of “Every Time I Hear”, tape static is overpowered by the slight warp of the lead guitar and Slater’s voice reminiscent of a softer Robert Pollard and a songwriting that is like if Matthew Sweet was a Second songwriter for GBV. By this, I mean, British Invasion, 60s psychedelic pop, and power pop are all covered here.
The shimmering “If I Was Ever Lonely” is more on the Robert end of the spectrum.
But while Guided by Voices won’t have a last time to be mentioned, it would be unfair for that to be the only mention. From time to time the power pop worship of Elephant 6 and, yes, Matthew Sweet appears more prominently in songs like “Lorelai” and the catchiest rocker of a single “I Can’t Stop”. “When You Know” is one song that delves a bit towards the garage/punk end of the aforementioned spectrum.
For those hungry for some rock music that sounds like a lost tape of vintage rock goodness, Sharp Pins is undeniably up your alley.
Written by mynameisblueskye
