Mini

Chronique

By the time this brief collection of songs that seemed to be about cars arrived in 1996, the Wedding Present were more than a decade-old institution of indie pop, with several lineup changes, label changes, and amazing records under the collective belt of bandleader/vocalist/songwriter David Gedge and his many collaborators. Not quite a proper LP and too strong to simply be tucked into the "stopgap EP" category, Mini landed between the micro-grunge of 1994's Watusi and the comparatively toned-down Saturnalia, which appeared later that same year. More than a proper album-length statement, the shortened Mini shared the same lively highlights-reel approach as Hit Parade, the band's 1992 collection of singles and cover songs. On these six tracks (later expanded to nine and re-released as Mini Plus), the band's C-86 jangle and early indie songwriting roots are in fine form from the grippingly fuzzy opening track, "Drive." A master of conveying urgency, humor, and regret at once, Gedge's vocals deliver with melody to spare on almost every track, from the age-old story of infidelity and sexual jealousy on "Love Machine" to the almost Beach Boys-esque verses and warm organ solo of "Convertible." Automobile metaphors and the band's special, sad pop magic abound, with "Sports Car" serving as a fitting closing track, bridging the high-octane fuzziness of Mini and the increasingly drained, depressive tones that would follow soon on Saturnalia. Mini Plus included a cover of "Waiting on the Guns" by Wedding Present contemporaries Butterglory, as well as two other original tracks.

© Fred Thomas /TiVo