The Mother Hips – Red Tandy (EP)

It’s interesting how many US bands are surfacing whose music and lyrics resemble that of the 60’s. Perhaps it is a new movement trying to open up and express that at least half the country does not agree with some of the things going on in the world these days.

The Mother Hips apparently are in tune with this movement toward recapturing the 60’s. Their sound certainly resonates with the music of the decade. The title track (which also appears as the final track in an alternate version), Red Tandy, has The Beatles written all over it. I’m not too sure what they are trying to say with this song but it sounds great and I have caught myself singing it at various points through out the day. I guess that’s what they mean by ‘catchy.’ Everything is crystal clear and the vocals are very harmonious to say the least.

From what I understand the Hips have been around for quite some time. In the 90’s they even released two albums on Rick Rubin’s American Recordings. The first time I had heard of the Mother Hips was after they released Green Hills Of The Earth in 2001. The band split shortly after that and I had never had the pleasure of hearing them.

Well, they are back at the request of their die-hard fans and the Red Tandy EP is the perfect appetizer for a full length LP due out sometime in 2006. The title track should do well given the proper assistance from their fan base and the band’s camp in getting a buzz going. Besides being Beatles-inspired, the title track also sounds a bit like The Sweet. Not offensive in any way- this song is a perfect way to get in the door to talk about the real issues, which is an approach I really like.

Colonize, the EP’s second track, which is only available on the CD version, is the best cut on this teaser. In singer/guitarist, Tim Bluhm’s own words, “Anything that’s cool or appealing is instantly ‘colonized’ by advertisers until we become almost afraid to express an original idea for fear that it will be used to sell $@#*^*&! coffee or surf trunks.” This statement resonates with me as much as the 60’s resonate with The Mother Hips.

I’m happy to report that this disc is not a Frisbee or a coaster. It really is quite good. I’m counting the days until their full-length release.