Midnight Movies

This Los Angeles-based trio made quite a stir with its self-produced, self-titled EP. Although the band had been around for less than two years, it was earning praise all over the United States, and a record deal ensued. What separates the trio from last year’s glut of new bands is not only its stage setup (drummer-vocalist Gena Olivier places herself center stage, in front of guitarist Larry Schemel and keyboardist-guitarist Jason Hammons), but also its witty song structures and awkward phrasing. One listen to “Blue Babies” or the opening track, “Persimmon Tree,” may draw inevitable comparisons to a stripped-down Stereolab or even early Lush—without all the feedback and walls of noise. Another listen might hint at Broadcast. It’s a fine, proper debut with lots of promise. What’s next?