From Bubblegum To Sky - A Soft Kill

Twee pop with garage rock stylings.

A Soft Kill, the third album by Oakland’s Mario Hernandez, aka, From Bubblegum To Sky, starts with a generic rock riff and a hooky melody that runs out after a couple of short minutes, setting the album’s theme. The first time I took this album around the track for a spin was a disappointment. A rough guitar mixed too high and melodies that never have enough room to breathe. The songs end as they really get going and the production and sparse instrumentation don’t do the music any justice. But the album does deserve and warrant multiple listens and the songs do grow on you. And clocking in at nearly 30 minutes, the album is short enough that repeated listens are not difficult. Much like their previous record, 2004’s Nothing Sadder Than Lonely Queen, A Soft Kill is a much darker turn than the band’s debut album – denser melodies and a morose depression that shines through the twee vocals. Unfortunately, after waiting three years, this album doesn’t live up to the promise of the band’s previous outings, but it’s still pretty alright.

There are a lot of really good tracks on this record, including “Even The Sunbeams” (available as a free mp3 from Eenie Meenie Records), “Captain Tennille” and the closer, “Downtown Or Up,” but too many songs are too short, cutting out when they need to kick it up a notch. Even the album’s best song, “I Always Fall Apart,” pulls up short. In the end, there’s not a bad song on the album and certainly nothing you’ll want to skip, but it just never hits that sweet spot of captivation I wanted it to. This was a great album to have on while I worked on a puzzle, but fell a little short on the headphones.

Anyone who likes indie-pop should really be a fan of this band. It’s just that when you wait years between releases, it’s hard to live up to the expectations. Their first record, Me And Amy And The Two French Boys was power pop brilliance and both Nothing Sadder Than Lonely Queen and the new album are worth picking up and giving at least a few spins. Advanced listeners should track down 1, by Hernandez’s first band, Ciao Bella, which stands as one of my all-time favorite pop albums, with an apocalyptic sound I’ve never heard any other band touch, even though I cross my fingers with every new FBTS release. I guess I have to keep waiting.

This record is only available as vinyl and digital download.

For fans of Kindercore style upbeat pop. Heavenly, Cub, and The Lucksmiths (if Kepi from the Groovy Ghoulies was singing).