Rating: 9.0 / 10.0The question I could not escape while listening to Shocking Pinks' self-titled effort was "Why, God?" Why, God, had nobody thought to write these songs before? Why, God, is every song on this record not wildly popular? Why, God, am I asking silly rhetorical questions instead of listening to this fantastic record?
Strictly speaking, Shocking Pinks have not broken any new ground. Rather, they have just offered a new take on convention. They blend genres liberally (drawing chiefly from electronic-dance, pop, and shoegaze) and deftly. Their arrangements are clean as a whistle, and their lyrics - while not particularly sophisticated - are razor sharp, like on the phenomenal "How Am I Not Myself?": "I love you when you're happy / I love you when you're sad / I'd rather be your retard, babe / than be your motherfucking dad."
Probably the best thing about this record though, when all is said and done, is the restraint. The songs are never longer than they need to be; most clock in at or under three minutes. While these songs may at first seem like little more than aphorisms, flashes, hints at ideas, they always focused and clear, and they are never cumbersome. Moreover, every song is infectious, wildly listenable, and brimming with charm and wit. "Victims" is another standout that exemplifies how Harte et. al. have total command over their songcraft. The song has a beautiful arc to it - acoustic breakdown and all - despite being less than two and a half minutes long.
Nick Harte and Shocking Pinks have delivered 17 tracks of pure, simple, fun, concise, blink-and-you'll-miss-it dance-infused dream pop bliss on this record. You'd be extremely wise to pick it up and listen to it as soon as possible.
-PTC
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