[rating=3.50]
The powerpop of Sacramento, California-based sisters Sarah (guitars and vocals) and Stephanie Snyder (drums, background vocals) is a joy to listen to. They fill their songs with a kinetic energy that is palpable and likely to make you dance. With help from the Bissonette brothers (Matt produced the EP and famed session drummer Gregg guests on the track “Millionaire”), this collection of ditties will make you think as much as it will get you moving.
The songs have a raw and slightly underpolished feel to them that is gritty and cool. “Over Again” and “Hey Maria” are the most radio-ready of the songs on this record because of the singability of the choruses, the crunchy guitars and the immediacy of the songs’ messages about moving on with your life and not worrying about what others think, respectively. “Darkness Hides Me” boils and broods beneath edgy guitars and thrumming bass lines, but ultimately is a more positive song than you would expect.
Sarah does the majority of the singing with Stephanie chiming in from time to time, and the results are decent. They aren’t trying to belt out notes like jazz singers and they know what range works for them, so there are very few missteps on this release. The songs are tight, the music is engaging and at times anthemic with their generally upbeat lyrics. Stop & Go is a noteworthy under-the-radar release.
