Cat & Dog Dialogue / Red Pony
Clock
Split CD
Gabe and Lizeth
Records and Crafts
Genre: indie pop, twee
April 2006 |
It was about time a couple of bands brought some fun into my life as a
reviewer. No, that doesn't mean this is so bad I'm gonna totally tear
the shit out of it - rather, this is a truly fun record... fun,
fun-loving, funny, simply funtastic. Ew. The split starts off with
tag-team superduo Nina Canell and Robin Watkins as
Cat & Dog Dialogue, a lo-fi act with a penchant for punchy,
melodic compositions using organs, drums, vocals, and more. The whole
thing has a kind of carnival-like atmosphere, something that takes
adjusting to but stands up well upon repeated listens. The most
traditional pop songs are some of the strongest points - "Roborovski"
is a dazzingly infectious romp, and "All I Said" is great - though
they also throw in some more experimental instrumental stuff, which
helps add variety without detracting from their side's quality. The
burst of energy that is "Super Turbo Sunbed" is a fine example. Every song is short, too (not one over three minutes), so nothing
wears out its welcome over this thirteen-track blast.
Red Pony Clock, who I've heard from a number of times
before, comes out strong with their brand of dense, luscious twee pop.
Their melodic sense has always been somewhat warped, but that's all
for the best on this nine song sample. "Mrs. Butter" and "We're Only
Lying to Ourselves" sound like Of Montreal outtakes, from the vocals
to the ridiculous assemblage of accompanying instruments (particularly
the clarinet). Indeed the Of Montreal reference is apt for nearly all
of these nine tracks, though RPC does have a certain melodic
bizarreness that sets them apart from the rest - and their songs tend
to be slower and don deeper vocals.
This is a fun, playful record that deserves the attention of any
lo-fi twee pop lover. It might be hard to get your paws
it on now that
the Gabe and Lizeth label has shut down and C+D Dialogue
appears to have disappeared, but a bit of hunting might be worth it if
this sounds like it'd be up your alley. And props to the silk-screened
cover, yo.
MP3 (from redponyclock.com):
Red Pony Clock -
Wasting Away
84%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 22 tracks, released 2005] |