Boat's
Songs That You Might Not Like features re-recorded versions of songs from the band's self-released CDs along with a bunch of previously unreleased songs. The Seattle by way of Chicago trio have their feet firmly planted deep in the indie soil. Their shambling, ironic, and resolutely intimate and sincere music has roots in the similar sound of '90s indie pop groups like
Tullycraft or
Small Factory, in the lyrical and melodic twists of indie rock bands like
Pavement and
Apples in Stereo, and in the cute and artless vocals of many indie rock and pop bands. Despite all these obvious indicators,
Boat manages to keep things fresh and peppy. Like little blasts of dorky collegiate fun, the tunes rush past in a swirl of gently strummed guitars, glockenspiels and lyrics about super freaky girls, Roman history, elephants, and ninjas. Sure it can get a bit silly at times, but the group's strong melodic sense and determination to keep things lively steamrolls right over the novelty factor. The title of this disc will only apply to people who don't like hooky, sweet and goofy pop music played with style and vigor. Too bad for them! ~ Tim Sendra