Bad Bad Hats

Kerry Alexander, principal songwriter and lead vocalist with Bad Bad Hats, was a big fan of the Breeders when she was growing up, and "Let Me In," the first track on the bands self-titled fourth album, sounds like the lost track from Last Splash, with its rubbery bassline, the spartan funk of the drums, and the playful snap of the melodies and Alexanders manipulated vocals. The track is good enough to announce itself as homage rather than plagiarism, and it sets the stage well for the album. Bad Bad Hats is a spunky and joyous exercise in pure pop for smart people, every bit as clever as Alexanders role model Kim Deal and with just enough tart snark in the lyrics to make this refreshing without being sugary. At times, Alexander and her musical partner Chris Hoge recall vintage ESG in their ability to generate a catchy melody and a toe-tapping groove out of minimal ingredients, though this has too much of their own personality to be anything other than Bad Bad Hats, and Alexander and Hoges production and arrangements are resourceful enough to sound full and satisfying even when a careful listen reveals theres no more than guitar, bass, drum programs, and vocals. (Oh, and sometimes keyboards.) As a lyricist, Alexander can be effortlessly witty -- only a Floridian who relocated to the Midwest could pen a love/hate letter to the Sunshine State like "TPA" -- and when shes getting more serious about bad relationships and things in the world that bother her, she does so with clever wordplay that cuts deeper than a full-frontal lyrical attack. As a testimony of love, lines like "When I die, I want you to have my CDs" and "I love you like the movies" connect with the heart just as well as the head. In a better world, the crunchy but impassioned "My Heart Your Heart" would be the single of the summer with its indie pop genius. (And "Meter Run" would be an ideal follow-up.) Bad Bad Hats is thoroughly enjoyable from front to back, and its so charming it takes a while to be aware of the strength of the craft, but let this music sink in and youll have this on repeat all day long. ~ Mark Deming