Sourpatch- Crushin'

In 2009 Sourpatch released the first ever concept album about "Crushin.'" Okay, not really, but when Crushin' (Happy Happy Birthday to Me) opened with a soundbite of a woman teaching a kid the script for a Sourpatch Kids commercial,  I knew I was in for another satirical vs. earnest set of jams about unrequited love in the sun and feminist jokes about television.

A self-described "pop-worship" ensemble, Sourpatch is a west coast affair along the nineties lines of the But I'm a Cheerleader soundtrack. Not that there's anything wrong with Crushin's obvious west coast tweepop influences, but I can still tell that it's a 21st ("post-earnest" oh god) century release. While lyrically the crushin' theme stays pretty tight to Tiger Trap et al, Crushin's also all about ambivalence, and even some 21st century self-help ("How can you learn to move on/to get strong/ if you never give yourself a chance?"). The first half of the album gets into unrequited affection and nostalgia and then turns an angry edge by my personal favorite track, "Never (Ever Ever) Enough." Transitioning to jams about polyamory ("Toothache") and disappointment, Nicole's vocals are versatile and go from hurt to sweet to bitter and back again.

"I Want You Either Way." 

Sourpatch has a new EP coming up in 2012 that promises to further exhibit why you'd rather live in California. 

"Cynthia Ann" off Stagger and Fade.

Also looking forward to summer 2k12, California or not, because I heard Sourpatch will be coming around for a tour with Swearin' come June!!

Download Crushin'.