|
BUTTERSPRITES |
 I want to assure you that while Seattle’s Buttersprites did include a
piece of (very tasty) Japanese candy along with their self-titled debut
CD, it had absolutely no influence on my review (you want a good write-up
outta me, it’s gonna cost you more than that). But they really didn’t need
to send anything, ‘cause their sugar-and-saki blend of indie pop and ‘80s
downtown art-punk, delivered in highly caffeinated Japanese and English,
won me over regardless (the fact that the all-female five-piece dress like
naughty nurses and space girls didn’t hurt either). The
Buttersprites’ whole package could’ve folded like a cheap suit under the
weight of its unavoidable cuteness – five attractive white and Asian girls
with accordions and guitars slinging off-kilter J-pop about mochi and
stinky weed, and covering “Happy Birthday” and Iggy’s “Dog Food” on the
same CD sounds unendurably precious on paper, but frontgal Haruko
Nishimura’s delivery is totally committed (in both senses of the word –
oh, yeah, she’s barking like the world’s toughest Chihuahua on the Iggy
tune), and the rest of the ‘Sprites belie the “we just threw this band
together” vibe with some tuff low-fi boho rock on a cover of PiL’s “Yellow
Peril” and “Fever” beefing up the poppier numbers. Listen, I’m as
much a sucker for gimmick bands as the next idiot, but the Buttersprites
can actually play, and well at that, which, I’ve gotta say, is like the
buttery icing on the cake.
Band Web site: Buttersprites.com |
|
– Paul Gaita |