Grouplove is MGMT getting it on with the Pixies

Words of Wisdom

Never trust a happy song, truer words have never been spoken. Are they from Los Angeles? Are they from Manhattan? Do I care? Grouplove has been described as folk rock and compared to Neutral Milk Hotel. I can hear a bit of that on the track 'Ichin on a photograph' which is like a more polished NMH but never abandoning the Kim Deal bass line. My ears hear some MGMT influence, a dash of The Cure, and a liberal dousing with Pixie dust. Colours reminds me of what the pixies might have sounded like if the Polyphonic Spree took a crack at singing duties. I don't mean to suggest Grouplove is a 'me too' band rather that they wear their musical influences on their shirt sleeve, and what a big shirt it is and with such a catchy slogan. 'Tongue Tied' has a nice MGMT feel to it but with the carefree sensibilities of a modern indie group like Dirty Projectors or the aforementioned Polyphonic Spree. By the time we arrive at 'Slow' we move somewhere south of Sigur Ros and the band begins to show some range with sweeping synth arpeggios that support rather than dominate the music, and a perfect hint of bell toned guitar. Originally a self released EP the band was signed and have since released a full album which includes the initial EP tracks. This is a pretty solid debut album and well worth your time. -Mik