I love this band so much that I’m untrustworthy on the subject. Usually I cringe when backing vocals stray out of tune or when tempos drift between instruments. When B for Brontosaurus exhibits these flaws (which they do sometimes, especially live) I make excuses to find it charming, rather than grating. “Their enthusiasm outpaces their technical ability,” that sort of thing.
Perhaps the most salient point is that I could be persuaded that virtually any B for Brontosaurus composition is actually a cover of an obscure gem from Jonathan Richman, Beat Happening, or Magnetic Fields. (Perhaps not coincidentally, all three are artists I’ve heard B for Brontosaurus cover.) Their songs variously evince the exuberance and childlike wonder of Richman, the frill-free, warts-and-all directness of Beat Happening, and the wry humor and gorgeous layered harmonies of Magnetic Fields.
The album packaging is also extraordinary. A still frame doesn’t really do it justice.
2 responses so far ↓
1 yrgrl // Aug 5, 2007 at 19:08
They are the Philippe of bands.
Also, they remind me at times of Love Child, especially but not exclusively on “Soda Pop Rock.”
2 no-source // Nov 30, 2009 at 22:50
There’s a new B for Brontosaurus EP out on http://no-source.info/netlabel for free. check it out!
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