One Track Mind

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

[ download ]

When Brooklyn quartet Miniature Tigers release their sophomore full-length, Fortress, on July 27th, it seems inevitable that it will be met with critical and popular acclaim. It won’t be a fluke of happenstance, though–these fellas are a hardworking bunch with 200 shows under their belt last year alone, including opening spots for The Spinto Band, Ben Folds, and the morning benders (whose vocalist, Christopher Chu, produced nine of the Fortress‘ ten tracks). The new record, which is being released by Modern Art Records just in time to catch the waning days of the summer season, is appropriately grooving and lively, a carefree kiss for your cinematic flings.

The one track on Fortress that wasn’t guided by Chu’s production is “Gold Skull,” a two and a half minute-long ditty with swirls of vocal harmonies and an irresistible spring in its step. It was birthed by Alan Palomo of VEGA/Neon Indian fame and feels like sticking your head into the freezer on a sweltering June day, all refreshment and tingle. If there is a knock on “Gold Skull,” it is that it is all over too soon, its chirping synthesizers and buoyant trot dissipating into the ether before the listener has had a chance to fully appreciate its cleverness. Of course, that just makes it all that much easier to listen to in heavy rotation, which is our most important endorsement: keep this one on repeat for at least a half-dozen passes and it will still sound every bit as sweet.