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Until their lead singer emailed a song for consideration on this site, I had never heard of New Jersey quintet It’s A King Thing. However, Brian Mietz made a pitch I couldn’t refuse when he said, “We’re not changing the face of music and we’re not going to be the next cool thing, but we do write killer indie-pop songs.” Clearly a man after my own heart.
It also doesn’t hurt that you can download their new album, the confoundingly-titled Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo., for free on the band’s website. Oh, and Mietz’s modesty aside, It’s A King Thing’s music is really quite excellent. Their tunes are reminiscent of the brighter side of 1990s college radio; the band points to early Weezer, The Lemonheads, Guided by Voices, and Sebadoh, but I also hear some Sammy, Nada Surf, and The Pixies in there, too.
“Old Hobbies” is Buffalo‘s first track, a no nonsense two-minute jog with standard rock instrumentation and a keyboard melody that floats over parts of the verses. Mietz has the sort of voice that makes other singers jealous: it’s idiosyncratic and filled with character, but it also makes for a smooth, easy listen. Lyrically, the tune wraps up with “I don’t think we’re still in love”–a heavy conclusion for the start of an album–but the lightness of the music keeps the sentiment from landing with any kind of crushing weight. Wistful, simple, and effective, “Old Hobbies” is a perfect song from an exciting young band. Here’s hoping it finds them some more fans.
(35 votes, average: 7.91 out of 10)
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March 2nd, 2012 at 11:59 am
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