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There are songs that stick in your brain. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered,"
by Stevie Wonder, "Rapture" by Blondie and
"Don't Stand So Close To Me" by The Police. Right
now, I've got "Being Useless Is Useful," by The Stolen
Records. Underscore the above artists, and you've got what's in
my head currently. People in my classes are telling me to shut up,
people at my house are asking me to stop singing, and assorted other
people (specifically those that utilize public transportation as a
means of entertainment) have been complaining in a less than appropriate
way. I don't mind. They don't enjoy life the way they should.
The Stolen Records has a lot going on for them. They've got some
of 311's bouncy beach sound, and some of Bob Marley's
soul. If you combined Letters To Cleo and Elvis Costello,
but kept it low-fi with the ska running rampant, you'd end up with
something pretty comparable to Stolen Records. I approve of them.
Basement Sounds starts strong with "Vera," which
my best friend and I have enjoyed immensely during drives around town.
"College Boy" is a feel good reggae popper that makes me
glad to be alive and facing college, and I can't stop cranking up
listening to "Divorce Dub," which examines the socio-economic
lead-in to a break-up. The "Drinking Song" is a new take
on an old theme.
They're not entirely fantastic. But whatever. Who is these days?
I'm not in the mood to make analytical observations, because I feel
too chill. The Stolen Records are a great party band, and they'd be
in good company at any fraternity. So smile, buy the record and bob
your head like a good hipster should.
-Caitlin McGuire
Track Listing:
1. Vera
2. Being Useless is Useful
3. What It Is
4. Baltimore Dub
5. Tequilla Reggae
6. Wait For Something To Wait For
7. OK
8. Devil Talk
9. Chronophobia
10. Kati Hastings
11. Flawed Logic
12. Drinking Son
13. Serotonin Dub
14. Crunch
15. College Boy
16. Divorce Dub
17. 86 Luck
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