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Cats and JammersPropose ToastContributor: ValentineCats and Jammers started playing shows in 1997 and toured extensively before going on hiatus. They recorded three albums, releasing two. Propose Toast is a greatest hits album, compiling music from each of their three recording sessions. This album was meant to help them get back into things. Listening to this, my first thoughts were that it sounded very twee. Their Web site calls them garage-pop-indie-bubblegum-power-pop. That’s two “pops.” I think there is way too much jangle for this to be power-pop. The vocals definitely fit the twee-pop style. The lyrics are all pretty witty as well. Very hook-filled with nice backups. I really like this stuff. When I think bubblegum, I think music that is good for a few listens but then loses its flavor. I wouldn’t call this bubblegum. It retains the flavor after multiple listens. Although the liner notes list different artists for various tracks -- these are culled from three different recording sessions, after all -- the whole thing is still pretty consistent. I felt like the songs flowed well from one to the other and made for a good album. Some bands change a lot from album to album but not Cats and Jammers. In this case, it is a good thing. Or maybe not. They did languish in relative obscurity their entire careers (according to their bio). I don’t know why. They are really good. This stuff seems like the staple of college stations in the Northwest. Maybe it’s because they’re from Chicago. I don’t know what college stations there play. So this stuff is really good: jangly guitars, hook-filled melodies that are easy to sing along with, witty lyrics and lots of energy. The production works really well for this stuff, and everything is performed well. Cats and Jammers are coming out with a new release. You can also download their third recording from their download store. They have lots of free music on their website. I recommend checking it out if you are into twee, even if it isn't exactly twee. You can contact the author at: valentine@agouti.com 862 |
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