Tension Pets Cubey CD
Six tracks of synth-accompanied punk from this Chicago band that nestles close to the DEVO tentpole of the egg-punk umbrella. These songs are fairly traditional in their careful and accomplished arrangements, not unlike the hook-laden garage punk of TEE VEE REPAIRMANN with added interlocking synth and guitar lines. Whereas some of this genre can head down a noisy, buzzing nerdcore path, TENSION PETS deliver melodic verse-chorus-verse songs with backing vocals and quick solos. The only slight exception is the near-hardcore stomping beat of “Mansion,” although it too is catchy. It’s all very accessible and likeable, if you don’t mind some sugar in your punk. Enter the heart-tugging “Magnolia (She’s Back),” a never-was new wave classic that sounds like the CARS in the best way. Had it come out in the ’80s, its sweet melodies and lost-love lyrics would have played in every car and over countless romcom movie trailers. Total melodic gem. Check it out if you like bands like CHERRY CHEEKS and have some romance hiding out in your jaded punk heart.