Even if they weren't on Slumberland Records, I'd be raving about Lunchbox. Donna McKean and Tim Brown have been churning out fuzzy punk-pop for a bit, and Pop and Circumstance, their new one, may be their best yet.
Lead singe "I'm Yours, You're Mine" soars like an old goody by The Wannadies, while "Summer's Calling" has a hook like a Buzzcocks melody, but delivery that's as light as air. "Is This Real?" and "New Year" are more distinctive and gently complicated. Lunchbox throw a lot of clear influences in a blender -- The Wedding Present, The Shop Assistants, etc. -- and make a brew that's wildly intoxicating. To overthink Pop and Circumstance is to belabor the obvious point that this is great indie-pop. Fans of smart, sharp, punchy post-punk will find lots to love here. And for my part, the highest praise I can give this new Lunchbox record is that it's exactly the type of thing I want to crank up when the Spring segues into Summer.
Pop and Circumstance by Lunchbox is out this week from Slumberland Records.
[Photo: Lunchbox]