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The very-cool-editor-guy from "Not In My Backyard" fanzine put Pinback's "Tripoli" on a mix tape for me, and I swear, I nearly drove everyone crazy by playing it over and over and over again. "I've got to hear my song," I would plead, as I punched the "rewind" button on the tape deck for the millionth time. And, now I've got the CD giving the "back" button a work-out.
This is probably one of the best things I've heard a long time! I just want to buy copies for everyone I know. Since I can't afford that, I'll just write about them instead. Pinback are two fellas named Rob and Zach who do every instrument themselves, plus trade off vocals, with each guy singing something entirely different. But it works sooo well! Each guy has been/is in many other bands: Three Mile Pilot, Optiganally Yours (from the "Powerpuff Girls" soundtrack!), Heavy Vegetable, Thingy, and more.
Their multi-instrumentalism, use of samples and programming, remind me of Badly Drawn Boy. But Pinback aren't nearly as folksy as they are. Sometimes, their downbeat yet catchy melodies remind me of Versus' quieter songs (like on "Loro" which has a real "My Heart Is A Diamond" feel), but the Pinback boys aren't so loud and fuzzy like the Versus gang. I may burn in indie-rock-hell for saying this, but "Crutch" almost has a Smashing Pumpkins vibe to it!!! HA! But without Corgan's annoying screechy vocals. Rob and Zach have really lovely quiet Elliott-Smith-gentle vocals to 'em. I guess they kinda have a Pedro The Lion-ness about them, but they're not nearly as "emo" and plain. Pinback are textured, varied, interesting. (That's not meant to diss on Pedro, whom I do love...but can you imagine someone DJ scratching over one of their songs? You get that with Pinback!!!) And, oddly enough, their gorgeous harmonies and melancholy melodies also remind me of Ivy, especially like Ivy's "Back In Our Town" with Dominique, Andy and Adam all singing totally different lines? Pinback is a lot like that.
Gee, I'm having a hard time describing these guys, but frankly, it's those bands who come along and defy a quick-easy-write-off who really stand out in my mind and impress the socks off me. : ) This whole album is soo incredible, so unpretentious, so amazing! Thx forever, Matthew! ; ) (janice.5.01)
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