Long-time readers of this site know how little I like humor in music -- Frank Zappa asked, "Does humor belong in music?" And I think the answer is a resounding "No", right? And I don't like Zappa either! -- but it's hard to hate Tacocat. Still, I don't suppose one would necessarily call this funny music, because it's really the band's imagery, and videos, that contain the humorous bits. The band's songs, like those on their newest album, This Mess is a Place, out tomorrow on Sub Pop, are fun, life-affirming, and decidedly tuneful.
"New World" is bright and bouncy, like something by Juliana Hatfield with sharper production, while album-opener "Hologram" is even crunchier, riffs driving things into the stratosphere. Lots and lots of This Mess is a Place is buoyant and invigorating, with the indie-pop here recalling songs by The Muffs ("The Problem") or The Bangles ("The Joke of Life"). The sort of thing that Tacocat are so good at is dressing up what seems like modern indie-rock in trappings that nod back to earlier, slicker alternative acts. And the sheen on This Mess is a Place serves this material well, with the uniformly catchy compositions rendered even brighter and easier to love.
This Mess is a Place is out tomorrow via Sub Pop.
More details on Tacocat via the band's official website.
[Photo: Helen Moga]