Already I like this music. I know it’s only a few bars of “Testing II” from The Pom Poms (unsigned) but this tune is the sort of understated effort I enjoy. Good voices, interesting choice of “words.” The tune, “Buggin” is pretty good too, with that childish but important sound that we oldsters heard on songs such as “Winchester Cathedral” and some of the ’60s guys like Donovan. But the horns on this song bring it to a different level.

For now, you will find this group on MySpace, because, as their marketing information states, the band Web site is “not ready yet.”

The Pom Poms, from Santa Barbara, California, consists of: Rob Kuznia: vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric bass, trumpet, production; Edgar Oliveira: drums, backing vocals, production; Shane McKillop, bass (live); Per Danzl, lead guitar (live); Justin Dullum: backing vocals (on recording), electric guitar on Mephastophiles, CD mastering; Alta Peterson: backing vocals, half-lead on “Fool,” cover art.

Here’s a nice description from the The Santa Barbara Independent, “Despite its rather rough conception (the album was recorded in a series of garages and dining rooms) and quaint, all-in-the-family backstory (Kuznia’s girlfriend and The Sympathetics band mates all provided backing vocals and instrumentation), the end result is a splendid, whimsical record that could easily replace all those Belle and Sebastian CDs I’ve long outplayed.”

After all, if you list among your influences Mozart, Modest Mouse and Willie Nelson, how bad can it be?

The Pom Poms on MySpace

Tags: independent music, the pom poms, indie music, music, indie