steering clear of the mainstream
since 2001

june 2010

review
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info opinion

Hushdrops

"Volume One" CD

Subspace Platform Recordings

Genres: indie pop, indie rock, pop

Subspace Platform
5543 Case Ave. #206
N. Hollywood, CA
91601

July 18 - 24 2005

Looking at the amateurly-printed cover, I had no idea Hushdrops' Volume One CD would be so bloody good. This band, operating on microlabel Subspace Platform, has recorded some of the catchiest pop songs I've heard in awhile. Right from opener "Divine," the emphasis is on hooks and a lively but mature style, somewhat akin to The Auteurs, Mike G, and even some Neutral Milk Hotel material. I recall "Emily" from a comp called Urbs In Horto that I reviewed awhile back; its instantly lovable melody makes it one of the disc's strongest songs, along with "Here She Comes" and the absolutely irresistible, retro-themed "Doctor V." Overall, there are very few songs on this disc that don't instantly hook you - the only "uncatchy" moments are the atmospheric elements that Hushdrops sometimes adds between songs to give Volume One a sense of completeness, and these interludes hardly detract from the record. The retro aspect of the album is also worthy of mention; the band has a sixties-influenced sound, not strong enough to paint the album one colour, but definitely a noticeable nuance of the music.

I'd recommend Volume One to any music lover; it's rare that such a completely enjoyable pop album comes out; when it does, you really have to take notice.

88%

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 14 tracks, distributed by the label, released 2003]