Passion Pit :: "Chunk of Change"

As I listened to the extremely high-pitched falsettos in Passion Pit’s “Sleepyhead” while driving around beautiful San Diego, I didn’t know whether I was annoyed or if I was digging the sound.  I mean, who would really want to sleep while sped up voices seem to be screeching melodiously in your ears?   But once you get past that and start appreciating the beats for what they are, you forget all about sleeping and immediately want to jump to your feet and shake what your mama gave ya.

With a sound that conjures up thoughts of Ben Gibbard’s (of Death Cab for Cutie) side-project the Postal Service, Passion Pit’s Chunk of Change is an EP (or possibly a mini-LP) that brings to the table sped-up beats as well as the soft, soothing vocals of Michael Angelakos.  Even though most of the beats are soft and moody, there are plenty of claps to get your ass shaking.  “Cuddle Fuddle” picks up the pace in the middle of the disc, providing upbeat piano and beat machines along with lyrics begging, “Let down your hair/let down your hair/Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair”.

“Live to Tell the Tale” slows it down again with Angelakos angelic voice slowly singing over quick little beats everywhere in another light love song.  But not to worry, “Better Things” speeds it back up again with crazy little beats and synthesizers in places that perfectly go with the opening lyrics, “You’re gonna drive me crazy/you’re gonna drive me mad”.  The album finishes up with the aforementioned “Sleepyhead”, which is perfect since you could consider it the “good night” of the album.  Encompassing the lovey-dovey vibe of the album, the protagonist speaks of dragging his/her love back into bed for what I assume is good, clean cuddling.

This EP was made as a Valentine’s gift for Angelakos girlfriend and it is obvious with every song, from the overly loving ones (“Sleepyhead”) to love-overpowering-everything-wrong-in-your-relationship (“Cuddle Fuddle”).  If you’ve got an ailing relationship, give your sweetheart this disc.  It probably won’t get you two back together, but at least you’ll have some good jams to pack your shit up to.

You can hear The Reeling”, the first single off their upcoming full-length, here.

Manners is out on May 19th, 2009.

Buy the album at our record store on Amazon

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