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If there are three words to best describe Apples in Stereo – its unfortunately ‘cutesy indie pop.’ Associated with the Elephant Six Collective – a group of bands which also includes Neutral Milk Hotel, of Montreal and The Olivia Tremor Control – New Magnetic marks the Apples’ first release in five years, and first on Yep Roc records. Is it for everyone? No. But than again neither are The Shins, and they seem to be selling a lot of records lately.
Co-produced by Bryce Goggin (Pavement, Sebadoh, Phish), New Magnetic features twenty-five songs, largely the product of lead vocalist/guitarist Robert Schneider. His nasally drone gets old barely midway through, but his knack for laying endless pop hooks somehow keeps you listening through the final fade. Check out the opener "Can You Feel It” or the sunny side “Energy” for a quick taste. Unless of course your friends know you as the ‘cutesy indie pop’ guy, then knock yourself out with the whole fifty-two minutes.
