Way back in August of 2006, The Tripwire put forth the notion that a young trio from Los Angeles was something to look forward to in the future. “I have no doubt that Princeton will be well on their way to becoming a household name in 2007,” were the actual words printed. While 2007 may have come and gone without the household name status for the boys, the rest of 2008 should look forward to a healthy dose of recognition. If not household, then maybe a lives-around-the-corner-and-sometimes-has-bar-b-que’s-but-overall-is-pretty-cool name status.
Their forthcoming second effort, titled Bloomsbury EP, makes good on the promises their first made: keenly written melodic songs. Keen because each track takes its influence from a different member of the influential literary group from which the EP derives its name, and melodic because, well, it’s quite melodic. Each of the four carefully worded tracks is spelled out in front of you to the tune of a guitar, a shaker, maybe a piano and a small string quartet. Sometimes it’s sunny tropical fun at the beach, others a Sgt. Pepper-led romp through an English Garden. Without delving too much into each lyrically, though with every one of the four tracks you will eventually and undoubtedly be referencing your early-20th Century English literature, they are all nearly without flaw. Perfect pop gems for you to lounge with during the summer.
Compositionally, each of the tracks is likable in their own way. “The Waves” is akin to a bit more complicated Vampire Weekend track, while “Ms. Bentwich” feels lifted from mid-60’s London. “Leonard Woolf” (a slight favorite) and “Eminent Victorians” both feel like Belle & Sebastian, though I personally think “Leonard Woolf” showcases a little bit better orchestral work than the Scots. Besides, how can you not love a song that tries desperately to boost the self-esteem of a man once living in the literary shadow of his wife in the early 1900s?
Quirky and fun with a knack for the literary is just the way I take ‘em, and Bloomsbury EP is just that.
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