Mirror

Indie pop rock (sorry, I know that’s not helpful!). This is a band out of San Diego with a lead female vocalist, who is pretty good. Seem to model themselves off of Cat Power and Bat For Lashes, with some psych-folk influence as well. Some on here are hypnotic, guitar-based tracks, while others are piano-waltzes. Toured with indie behemoths Helio Sequence, MGMT, and Beach House in 2008. An interesting listen with some idiosyncratic touches. I’d say the percussion and vocals are highlights No FCC’s noted.

1. Ringing percussion in the background of Cat Power meets Marissa Nadler, hypnotic warm guitars and soaking vocals. (1:59)
2. Percussion is repetitive, noticeable and driving, like Portishead’s ‘Machine Gun’, dark romp with sweet vocals, variation on the outro. (3:42)
*3. Children chanting opens the song, drums dance over them, catchy, repetitive piano melody and vocals, guitars are fun, about being young or something, refrain, “happy placebo syringe day.” (4:28)
*4. Guitars, percussion open up the song with a melodic crunch, electric guitars play a few repetitive notes while vocals and percussion dominate the song. (4:14)
5. Piano oriented, different mood, sort of jazzy waltz (3/4 time).(2:52)
6. Interlude sort of track, with ghostly vocals behind piano part that sounds classical almost, instrumental, I guess. (1:49)
7. Another ¾ time track with repetitive guitar, and backing female vocals support the playful mood. (3:14)
8. Psych folk (more Nadler) with atmospherics and reverby vocals, backing male vocals on this, very pretty and chill. (2:05)
9. Rhythmic piano chords are surrounded by bells, upper-register vocals, loud percussion. (3:19)
10. Weird one, guitar notes are unusually bent, percussion is fast, lyrics are also weird. (2:51)
*11. Electric guitars are distorted rhythmic, melancholic chord progression, flashy drumming, good rocker, very interesting instrumental breaks, vocals flutter above the rest of the noise. (3:56)
12. Organ, more low-key than previous track, sounds like a nautical romp, snare drum sounds like a whip, smooth guitar effects. (2:36)
13. Piano ¾ opens track again, ‘goodnight to all’, breaking the fourth wall, yo, relatively ominous ending, strings etc. (2:47)