It’s really, really, REALLY hard not to crack a smile when listening to The Pipettes. After catching them live for my first time down in Austin this year, I saw in person that these gals are so much more than pretty faces. They got the presence, and the songs, to back up their work. Throwback groups can sometimes come across as a mess or lame like some of those traveling street performers you see at theme parks like Six Flags. Let this set the record straight that The Pipettes are not one of those crappy bands. Maybe it’s due to their UK charm, or their Phil Spector-ish production, but it is good.
Their EP, which is an appetizer for their upcoming LP, We Are The Pipettes, may only consist of four songs, but each one is upbeat and quality to the core. Opening with the infectious “Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me,” the song is somewhat reminiscent of The Angel’s “My Boyfriend’s Back” with the trio adding harmonies and almost talking rather than singing. The lyrics have a bite to them, but something tells me that lots of guys have tried to pass their kisses off on these cuties before, resulting in nothing more than wasted kisses. The slower “I Love You” summons the spirit of The Supremes.
Additionally there are two tracks on this EP that won’t be on the upcoming album. One of them is the more rockin’ “Really That Bad,” which puts the girls’ horn section to use. The final track, “Guess Who Ran Off With The Milkman?” is a Motown lovers dream; chock full of girl on girl on girl harmonies, uplifting keys, gleeful melodies and plenty of “Sha-La-La’s” to get your motor running.
The Pipettes remind us that it’s OK for music to be fun and carefree. If that idea doesn’t make a perfect summer soundtrack, I don’t know what does.
“Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me”
