A band named
Tacocat can really only be one thing and that one thing is cute. The foursome from Seattle fit the bill right down to their polka dot dresses, and their second album,
NVM, is a charming little punky pop record full of silly love songs, silly life songs, and slightly serious songs about female troubles and drugs. Clocking in at just under 30 minutes, the 13 songs happily bop past in an easygoing clatter of spiky guitars and sweet harmonies that will likely bring a smile to the face of anyone who likes female-fronted good-time indie pop. Or
the Fastbacks. Thanks to Conrad Uno's tight production and the ultra-hooky nature of the songs, a semi-in-the-know listener can definitely hear some
Fastbacks in
Tacocat's DNA. (A little bit of
Tullycraft on one end of the indie spectrum, with just a hint of
Weezer on the other too.) No heavy metal guitar solos, but no amateur-sounding noise either. Emily Nokes takes most of the lead vocals, but everyone else seems to chip in with harmonies, and guitarist Eric Randall gets a chance on the fun "Alien Girl." When the songs and performances really come together, like on "Snow Day" or the jumping-bean peppy "Stereogram,"
Tacocat sound like the funnest band around. Like a low-rent Josie & the Pussycats or the kind of outfit you wish your friends had started in high school instead of a crummy
Sublime cover band. Even when the songs are a little weaker (like the obvious and corny "Crimson Wave") or when they come off unconvincingly angry ("Pocketful of Primrose"), it still sounds good.
NVM may not be exploring new ground and
Tacocat isn't going to surprise anyone here, but if you're looking for a half-an-hour full of snapping bubblegum hooks, light-hearted good times, and perky guitar pop, you've found something good here. [
NVM was also released on vinyl.] ~ Tim Sendra