NVM

Chronique

Tacocat's album, NVM, is a charming punky pop record full of sweet love songs, fun life songs, and slightly serious songs about female troubles and drugs. Clocking in at just under 30 minutes, the 13 songs happily bop past in an easygoing clatter of spiky guitars and sweet harmonies that will likely bring a smile to the face of anyone who likes good-time indie pop. Thanks to Conrad Uno's tight production and the ultra-hooky nature of the songs, you can definitely hear some Fastbacks in Tacocat's DNA. (A little bit of Tullycraft on one end of the indie spectrum, with just a hint of Weezer on the other too.) No heavy metal guitar solos, but no amateur-sounding noise either. Emily Nokes takes most of the lead vocals, but everyone else seems to chip in with harmonies, and guitarist Eric Randall gets a chance to step to the front on "Alien Girl." When the songs and performances really come together, like on "Snow Day" or the jumping-bean peppy "Stereogram," Tacocat sound like the funnest band around. Like a low-rent Josie & the Pussycats or the kind of outfit you wish your friends had started in high school instead of a crummy Sublime cover band. Even when the songs are a little weaker or when they come off unconvincingly angry ("Pocketful of Primrose"), it still sounds good. NVM may not be exploring new ground and Tacocat isn't going to surprise anyone here, but if you're looking for a half-an-hour full of snapping bubblegum hooks, light-hearted good times, and perky guitar pop, you've found something good here.

© Tim Sendra /TiVo