RED TANDY EP
Album Review

I've never exactly been wild about Americana and all the rock connected with it. It generally seems a bit simple, downbeat and earthy for my tastes. And it reminds me unpleasantly of a cross-country trip that scarred me for life - expecially with the limited musical selection.

But I have to admit, The Mother Hips have put together a pretty wild sound on Red Tandy, adding a powerpop vibe to some of its songs. The title track is charmingly catchy, given an even more grounded sound by virtue of some twangy guitar and its dramatic musical style.

"Colonized" takes a rocki-ier turn, with a rougher vibe and a nasty, gritty riff that stretches out over the song, while "Blue Tomorrow" opts for a rippling, slightly surreal edge that distorts your basic Americana impressions. Finally we get an alternative version of the title song, a bit more stripped won and distant-sounding.

I have to say, the cover fooled me. With Red Tandy standing in front of a dandelion field filled with people, I expected a more psychedelic experience. Turns out I was wrong, but thankfully I was not dissapointed in what I did find - fresh, vibrant music and charming places.

These guys know how to use guitars, whether the down-homey sound of the acoustic, or the twisted blistering riffs that they do on the electric. And the vocals are probably what really take The Mother Hips further from the ordinary sound. I'm not sure exactly what these guys are shooting for, but they sound like a more country version of the Beatles, with good harmony and a fun singing style.

While a few more songs would have been nice, The Mother Hips' Red Tandy EP is a fun diversion, and bodes well for the bands future releases. Just keep up this sound, boys, and you'll do fine.