NEGATONES - SNACKTRONICA

Let me tell you how CD reviews go around here. I listen to everything that is sent to my attention. If I dig it and have time to write a review, I keep it. If I hate it or have no time, I pass it along.
When I first got the five-song CD Snacktronica (Melody Lanes Recording) from the New York City-based Negatones, I wasn't impressed. It quickly went into my stack of CDs to pass on to someone else. But then I listened to it again, and I started to like it.
There are only five tiny tracks here, people, but I really dig four of them. I can do without "Flattened By The Sun", as it is a song that I could easily see D.J. Kirkbride bopping his head along to while it played on some "underground" white-boy college radio station. But the remaining tracks rock my cock. "And So My Troubles Began" is fast and loud, and the vibe is that of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, but with horns. And the horns are fucking sweet, brother. "I Suspect There's More" is completely different, and reminds me, in parts, of The Beta Band. There are a ton of layers going on here, and it all comes together nicely. "Conflict Error (Part II Of The Information Processing Theory)" is a fast-as-fuck instrumental number that sounds as if Mr. Bungle and Tipsy had a baby. And the CD is rounded out with "Everything Oscillates", a poppy, feel-good tune very reminiscent of Ween. You can't help but tap your foot and sing along. A good time had by Wayne.
In all, Snacktronica impressed me 80% of the time. Not bad for a couple of kids that started with a $500 arts grant and a couple bucks in their savings. Be sure to keep an ear out for a full-length in the future.