Heavy Rotation: Week Ending April 23, 2010

01. The Apples in stereo – Travellers In Space And Time, (Yep Roc.2010)
02. Blue Sky Blackout – Clear From A Mile Away, (Susstones.2010)
03. Deleted Waveform Gatherings – Ghost, She Said, (Rainbow Quartz.2009)
04. “Jacqueline Susann” by The Pernice Brothers, (Ashmont.2010)
05. Johnny Foreigner – Grace and The Bigger Picture, (Best Before.2009)
06. The Mary Onettes – Islands, (Labrador.2009)
07. Nadja – When I See The Sun Always Shines On TV, (End.2009)
08. Let's Wrestle – In The Court of Wrestling Let's, (Merge.2009)
09. “Baby Lee” by Teenage Fanclub, (Merge.2010)
10. Various – International Indie Dance Party, (personal mix.2009)

The Apples in stereo were the band that moved me from a very very dark place of music consumption. It was around 1997 and my music snobbery, that was cultivated through high school and college, was nearly gone. I was a newly divorced, late-twenty-something, sad sack. When it came to the hottest new bands and sounds, I was directionless. I took this opportunity to rededicate myself to know everything about the most obscure bands. Luckily, I had friends who were right there for me. I'll never forget where and when I first heard The Apples in stereo's Fun Trick Noisemaker. I was immediately struck by the effortless melodies, the stark simplicity, and the hooks that could not be denied. Since that day, I have been a serious fan.

Travellers In Space And Time is the seventh record from my beloved Apples. Robert Schneider's songwriting is still the same great, while – for this run – he goes in a slightly different stylistic direction: the synth-disco-experimental-indie-pop (see his “solo” band Marbles' 2005 release Expo). This is curious because typically all the Apples records have been guitar based. The primary instruments on every song on this LP are piano and synths; the guitars are definitely secondary. Seems like this should've been a Marbles record. Or not. It's all good. Whaaaazzzzz uhhhhhhhp?!?!?!?!

So what do we have here other than another record of tremendous songwriting from Mr. Robert Schneider? “Dream About The Future” is pristine, bubbly synths juxtaposed a tremendous piano, plenty of those ELO robo-vocals. “No One in the World” is a bouncy slab of classic pop that drips Bacharach. “Dignified Dignitary” is one of the few tracks that features guitars; in the past this would be a Beatles-esque rave-up, this time? T.Rex-y glam stomp (complete with cowbell). “C.P.U.” is quirky alien pop with techno-stress as metaphor.

There is a trifecta of Fucking Amazing Best Songs. “Told You Once” is bouncy (yes, again) pop that circles around and around in pure perfection with wonderful hooks. “Next Year at About the Same Time” has a deadpan melody with fuzzed guitars, lilting synths, and a punchy bass line. “Dance Floor”, the lead single, is an absolute triumph: the melody is a no-brainer, the hooks are huuuuge, but it's the details that take this to victory – strategically placed electronic blips/whirrs, found sounds, teeny rhythmic synth licks, and the harmonies (both robo and human vocals). It is motherfucking hit!

Those early Apples records tapped into the the Three Bs – The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and The Byrds. Schneider's homage in sound has caused many to dismiss his oevre as mimicry, derivative, blah blah. The accusers are going to have a heyday with this record. Schneider has embraced ELO in a big way. It's all here the “space” theme, the robo-vocals, lush arrangements, the juxtaposition of electronic-and-organic instrumentation, crisp melodies and idiotic-ridiculous-choruses. If you hate ELO, this record may not be for you. If you hate severe homage, this record may not be for you. If you love great pop songwriting, then here you go – a gift made just for you.

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