B
erkeley lads The Morning Benders announced a name change this week — they’re now called Pop Etc. — but nevermind all that. Seek out their first three records. Thank us later.
The masterpiece is 2010’s Big Echo, which opens with the anthemic gem ‘Excuses’ and proceeds to shape-shift its way through 10 more exquisite, well-crafted melodies. Ranging from the hooky mid-tempo indie vibe of ‘Promises’ to the punchy ‘Cold War’ to the stuttering rock of ‘All Day Day Light’, it’s a brilliant rock composition that defies easy categorization. Just when you think you have them figured out, they take a hard left turn just to show that you don’t.
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Sharpening Pencils 