The Brunettes
Structure and Cosmetics
9 Track, LP (2007, Etch N Sketch)
Related: The Brunettes.
To its detractors, bubblegum pop is a genre mired in cliche, all sunshine and youth, boys and girls falling in and out of love. But the genius thing about the Brunettes is that they know some things become cliches for a reason. *Structure & Cosmetics *is no tired rehash of familiar pop tricks, but a glorious affirmation of their value. The best bubblegum always had a durability that belied its lightweight veneer and these songs are addictive confections of the highest order, quick to charm but rewarding repeat listens.
There’s a winning self-consciousness to their classic pop homages: exuberant opening track ‘Brunettes Against Bubblegum Youth’ is an acronym for pop’s most over-used epithet, while ‘Obligatory Road Song’ is a nod to the genre's limited subject matter. The playful ‘Stereo’, meanwhile, features a workout of the possibilities offered by surround sound, a harmony about singing in harmony, a mid-song oasis of calm and a verse that goes “Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!” It’s brilliant.
The real gem, however, is the self-described “dance crossover”, ‘Her Hairagami Set’, which manages to balance some of the intricacy of erstwhile tour-mates The Shins with the symphonic joy of the 60s girl groups which are so often referenced but rarely played. Unusually for such an unabashedly pop band the songs are all mini-epics rather than two-minute throwaways and never settle for a single hook when they can throw in seven instead. None of this is to mention the divine backing vocals, the gorgeous way the two voices intertwine, the lush keyboard touches and the absolutely gleeful sky-kissing excellence of it all. Pop perfection.
by Daniel Herborn
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