The four members of Crumb met at Tufts University in Boston a few years ago, forming as a vehicle for Lila Ramanis songwriting. Two solid EPs later they hit with this self-released debut album Jinx, inspired by their meteoric rise, a near fatal car accident and the production sound of Arthur Verocai. At every turn on Jinx the crew churn out dazzling psych pop snacks without ever becoming predictable, and although were reminded of similarly cute and young bands like Barrie and Men I Trust, its clear that Crumb arent at all concerned with creating the perfect pop song. For every memorable riff or sugary vocal on Jinx, theres a jazzy modulation / tempo change (Part III) or detuned synth buzzing like an angry wasp (And It Never Ends) to remind you how disorienting life really is. Lilas gliding vocals on Nina and Fall Down vaguely recall Kevin Parkers lackadaisical meanderings, albeit backed with more imaginative / less claustrophobic instrumentation. You could draw connections to Stereolab or Broadcast, but I honestly think Crumb are too young to have been inspired by (or rip off) those bands, so the results of their psych / jazz / pop stew are refreshingly original (all of my heroes are people I know, sings Ramani on Faces). A less European / more weeded version of Melodys Echo Chamber, maybe. Check out Ghostride M.R. Cracking, Jinx, Faces and bonus track Better which you wont find on digital versions of the album. Recommended.
- black vinyl pressing
- 12″ x 24″ folded lyric insert
- includes exclusive bonus track ‘Better’
- music label: Crumb Records 2019
reviewed by Isosceles Kramer 06/2019
