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Choice Cuts: February 2002

© Adam McKibbin

Artist: The Four Corners

Album: Say You’re A Scream

The Scoop: Ah, retro. It worked for The Strokes, and if there’s any justice in this cruel world, The Four Corners will never be over-hyped in the same way. Because, shhh, truth be told, The Four Corners are almost as much fun, just as cool, almost as pretty, and way less pretentious. As with Is This It, Say You’re A Scream is a good time but doesn’t necessarily go anywhere. Such is retro. But if you’re in the right mood, it’s a helluva party.

Highlight Track: I’ll go with the title track because I’ve never been to London and I wasn’t alive in the 60’s, but this song makes it awfully easy to pretend.

A Busy Man: Guitarist Ryan Lewis also co-runs Kindercore Records, the Athens, GA label that boasts geographically named bands like Japancakes and Of Montreal, in addition to The Four Corners. Lewis also plays with The Sunshine Fix, the new project from Bill Doss (of Olivia Tremor Control fame).

For More Info: Check out the label site at http://www.kindercore.com or the band page at http://www.thefourcorners.net

Artist: Central Falls

Album: Latitude

The Scoop: Meditative indie-pop from Chicago, helmed by the Vida brothers (US Maple drummer Adam at the front, with Ben on lead guitar and backing vocals). Steve Dorocke (pedal steel) infuses some twang into the dreaminess, helping to give Central Falls a sound that will be familiar to indie-pop enthusiasts but still finds its own voice. Lovely.

Highlight Track: “Leave Into” is a good song to play when you’re stuck on the 405 and carks keep cutting in front of you. Believe me.

Honorable Mention: The album is very consistent in mood, and “Latitude” and “Parallel” are two more songs in the same vein. Smart songwriting that isn’t cutesy, tender harmonies, and patient instrumentation. The only problem is that sometimes the songs are so sweet and dreamy that you wish Jeff Buckley was singing them.

For More Info: Check out the label site at http://www.truckstoprecords.com

Artist: Tijuana Crime Scene

Album: Change of Venue

The Scoop: The debut EP from a Kansas City collective well worth checking out and keeping an eye on. Tijuana Crime Scene features several ex-New Amsterdamers (including singer/songwriter Alex Brahl), as well as Robert Pope from the Get Up Kids. It’ll be interesting to see what these guys come up with in the future, although rumors say that Brahl is recruiting an all-new band. In the meantime, the EP moves through roots rock (“Shoot The Lights Out”) and even tender piano ballads (“Forever Leaving”). A pleasing collection from start to finish.

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