Sad Girls by Big Troubles
Big Troubles were formed by a group of kids who had been friends since high school, playing in bands, listening to records and coming of musical age together. As children of the 00's they're lucky enough to have a vast history of pop and indie rock to draw upon. Like the best of their peers they're omnivorous musical consumers, as enamored of classic Brit Pop gems as they are of 90s slacker indie rock. Led by two very gifted singer/song-writers in Alex Craig and Ian Drennan, Big Troubles are that rare beast: a band with two distinctive musical voices that smoothly mesh to create one integrated personality.
Early recordings by the pair were of the lo-fi home recorded variety, but over time they've grown (with the addition of drummer Sam Franklin and bassist Luka Usmiani) into a full four piece band to more fully realize their tunes. Their first album "Worry" (2010) and its attendant singles were excellent fuzz pop records in their own right, but to make their new record the band has taken the step of bringing in help in the form of the legendary Mitch Easter, whose resume includes stone cold classics from the likes of REM, Pavement and his own Let's Active. With Mr. Easter's expert engineering help, Big Troubles' excellent new album "Romantic Comedy" is a masterpiece of modern pop; a perfect balance of grit and polish, gorgeous guitar sounds and angelic vocals, underpinned by a set of superb songs.
"Sad Girls" is the first single from "Romantic Comedy" and an ideal introduction to Big Troubles, 2011 style. A lovely slice of updated power-pop based on a catchy stop-start verse that gives way to an indelible, spiraling chorus, this tune is as big and bright as they come. By the time we hit the chiming outro we're well hooked, and the only option really is to play the tune all over again. On the flip side, "Phantom" raises the volume a bit, hearkening back to first album hits like "Freudian Slips" and "Bite Yr Tongue." On the evidence of this single we think you'll agree that Big Troubles have truly upped their game, and you'll be as excited to hear the full album as we are to bring it to you.
