The Stranger- Seattle

Underage
Summer Cats' Sunny Indie Pop
by Casey Catherwood
July 14th 2009

As far as independent punk labels go, Slumberland Records can pretty much do no wrong. In its 20-year run of putting out awesome records by bands like the Swirlies, Black Tambourine, and the Aislers Set, the label has acted as a premier outlet for reverb-soaked, lo-fi, alternately sunshiney and saddo bedroom pop. That sound has made a major resurgence in the past year, and, appropriately, the label is back at the forefront of things following a five-year hiatus, resuming a regular release schedule with new records by indie-pop acts such as the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Crystal Stilts, and Cause Co-Motion!

With this week's release of Songs for Tuesdays, the debut LP from Melbourne, Australia's Summer Cats, Slumberland continues its nefarious plan to take over your stereo. It's winter in the band's hometown, but true to their name, Summer Cats sound like they've never been cold in their lives. Songs for Tuesdays is packed full of skuzzy guitars, straightforward drums, and jacked-up keyboards in service of poppy, fun-bent tracks perfect for rocking a basement on a Friday night.

As luck would have it, the band are bringing their shining faces to Seattle's New Crompton this Friday, July 17, and if their live show feels anything like their album sounds, wear your sunblock, 'cause shit's going to be HOT.

The Stranger