One look at The Corner Laughers and you get the idea they would be the hell raisers at every party.
OK, maybe not. But this San Francisco outfit can write some delightfully infectious indie pop that harnesses elements from the best of the girl groups from the 60s and give them new life in the form of contemporary, offbeat pop that features light guitar, ukulele, organ, and the occasional glockenspiel. The vocals have the sweet sincerity of Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer), and are overlayed with clever harmonies with lyrics that are refreshingly cerebral. Think Go-Gos meet XTC. Every track has something to like, but among my favorites I count "Shrine of the Martyred Saint", "For The Sake of the Cat", "The Commonest Manifesto", and "Silver Medal". For those searching for something a bit more eclectic, The Corner Laughers also put their stamp on baroque pop, bluegrass and folk.
A little off the beaten path, but never straying from a good melody, "Ultraviolet Garden" is a smart and charming delight. The record was produced by The Orange Peels' Allen Clapp and released on John Wesley Harding's Popover Corps label. They've performed with some of our favorite power pop artists - Mike Viola and Bleu (the Major Labels) and recently toured the UK with Anton Barbeau. In a business where "art" does not usually equate with commercial success, it is my wish that The Corner Laughers have the last laugh.
iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 13
The Corner Laughers on MySpace. Official site.
Check out the video for "Stonewords":
