Perhaps in celebration of the one year anniversary of us sending them the album, Matt Shimmer at Indieville.com has posted a review of Ok Fine. It's, like many of our reviews have been, mixed:

This interesting keyboard-infused pop album comes encased in a glossy origami-folded package (don't unwrap it, or you will fucking regret it!!), the most overt indication of Pants Pants Pants' quirky, electronic-heavy style. Their second album so far, this twelve-song collection endears its audience by way of (usually) cute female vocals and silly song structures. The latter characteristic, however, also causes Ok, Fine to fall flat on occasion. While catchy "Dino Love" and silly "Stay in School (Don't Play The Fool)" (dig the Horatio Sanz reference) are among the record's best, others (bizarre "Human Machines," too-long "You Have Died of Dysentery" [a reference to ancient educational computer game Oregon Trail]) drag down the fun due to weak melodies and mediocre overall sounds. Others, like Bettie Serveert-esque "Moonpretty" and experimental and compelling "Graphite" are almost really good, but fall just short of being completely realized. I'm not sure how often I will be pulling this disc out, though as far as goofy female-led pop music goes, this does the trick. A notable cover of Pearl Jam's "Jeremy" is included for good measure, replacing the PJ sound with a lighter pop vibe.

They also included this little fun fact:

Like Modest Mouse (which this band doesn't resemble in the least), Pants Pants Pants' first songs were recorded on answering machines.

Actually, our first song was written using messages left on our answering machine, not recorded on answering machines. I think this is a great illustration of the difference between the two bands. I couldn't sum it up any better myself.

It always strikes me how different everyone's take is on this album, and on our band in general. Much of this, I'm sure, has to do with our varying style. But I'm most stricken by how differently people hear our music than I do.

For example, I've always considered Human Machines to be one of our most straight ahead pop songs, but this reviewer considers it "bizarre." I've also always assumed that fans of Dino Love would like Human Machines as well. I lump them together, but obviously Matt Shimmer does not.

I've also never thought of our Jeremy cover as having a "lighter pop vibe."

I thank Matt for his faint praise of Graphite ("almost really good"). You see, one thing you might not know about my other two band-mates is that they are total Graphite haters. This is despite the fact that numerous individuals of impeccable taste has expressed their enjoyment of the song (including Lauren Lauren's very own MOTHER!). Maybe Matt's words will help to sway them back over to the side of good. Come on you two, it's "experimental and compelling," we just need to completely realize that fact.

High points of the review for me include the Bettie Serveert reference, "(usually) cute female vocals," "almost really good," and of course the affirmation that we in no way resemble Modest Mouse.

In the end, we're left with a wonderfully cherry-pickable review. Look for out of context quotes from this review in our press pack soon.

I'm encouraged that every reviewer seems to be able to find something they enjoy in our album, even if it's just the album art (thanks a lot East Bay Express). When we start releasing our ep's by genre (more on this later), I think those who find themselves in Matt's boat can procure a piece of work more to their liking.

Frankly, though, I think some of these reviewers could stand to take a lesson from this review. Now THAT'S how you review Ok Fine!

Ever since we recorded OK, Fine, we have accused Steve of hating female-fronted music. He had his iPod (I'm sorry, "Creative Zen") plugged in to the car stereo and we were trying to find some female vocals we could show to our mixer as examples of effects we wanted. I was sort of horrified that I only found one female vocalist aside from Bjork and Pretty Girls Make Graves and I accused Steve of being sexist. Oliver quickly jumped aboard the "Steve hates women" bandwagon, and it became a band fact.

This past weekend, on our long drive up to Arcata, Steve felt determined to analyze the accusations further. Though the percentage of female (or dual) fronted artists in his overall collection was in his words, "Not great," he had about 30 in total--which, as it turns out, is only six fewer than in Oliver's collection, whose reputation as an enlightened male has so far remained unscathed.

Spurred by this contest, I decided to look through my own music collection. This was more complicated than I thought it would be and I had to employ a lot of rules to make it an accurate reflection of my music tastes. To begin with, I eliminated any artist that I didn't put in my collection myself (and don't listen to), such as things my fiance gave me or artists that appear on soundtracks. Secondly, I left out any artist that has only written one song that I like. To me, this is a sign that the artist got lucky and wrote one good song, more than that I like their music in general. Thirdly, I eliminated all of the classical artists. I did this for two reasons: one, they don't perform their pieces (which are mostly played by co-ed orchestras), and two, I have never in my life heard a classical piece by a female composer. I've read about their existence (some had famous love affairs with male composers) but due to the social climate of Europe in the 18th century, they were few and far between. It just seemed unfair.

In the end, my music collection turns out to be 52% male fronted, 36% female fronted and 12% dual fronted. No small feat considering that only once have we played a show where the majority of performers that night were female. I think being in a band is slowly turning me into a feminist. Where are all the women in music? Anyone?

"Making a name for themselves because of an overt nerdiness, this SF by way of Virginia trio clearly know that in order to have fun, you can't take yourself too seriously. Playful electronica meets indie rock, sometimes meandering down a strange path of weird child-like rhythms, psychedelic lounge, even hip-hop ("Sensible Gansta"). WTF! Grab their new album OK, Fine stat."

Full Disclosure: Emre Peker is a very good friend of mine. I have spent countless hours listening to and talking about music with this man. In my mind that makes the following best review we've ever received all the more meaningful.

Pants on Fire

Once, there were two gentlemen in Virginia. One rocked out at the basement of Tokyo Rose with the punk-rock band Excitebike, defying the conventional hippie-fratboy music scene. The other grew a fantastic mustache, among other things.

Then the two gents graduated. Then they lived in farmland. Then, experimented with some beats. Finally, drummer Sysop and bassist Ted Dancing realized that Charlottesville was way too small for their expansive sound.

So, to meet their audience, Sysop and Dancing embarked on the Moon Tour and broadcast the new sound of their new band, Slow Children. The band was musically complex and intriguing, but not easily accessible.

Nevertheless, Slow Children's two albums, Meat Salad and Resting on Our Laurels, included some hits (Sauerkraut comes to mind) and helped cultivate the band's sensational shows (in a Maryland highway rest stop; dorms, bars and odd locations across the country) which shocked crowds, drew attention from authorities and gave rise to their dedicated, eclectic fan base.

During the the Moon Tour, Slow Children hit San Francisco and liked her. SF liked Slow Children. Sysop and Dancing moved West.

Enter Lauren Lauren: the soft, wide-ranging and playful vocals of the band. With the third element in, and "Slow Children" mushrooming as a band name across the U.S., the trio decided on a name change. Cosmetics and necessity, you know.

Pants Pants Pants fit. Nice and tight. Sleek and hot. Original and funky.



And just this week, Pants Pants Pants released its second album: Ok, Fine.

Embellished with smart, catchy lyrics, the album is a mix of ... well, a mix of all good things music. Ok, Fine defies definition. It's poppy, and self-declaredly so. It's summery, that is, you can play it at the beach, in your car, on your balcony or passing out half-drunk in your bed and expect it to bring you pleasant memories each time you hear it.

It's the album that prompts the statement: "Dude, I can't tell you how good it is, just get your hands on it."

Beginning with the self-teasing, and gratifying, first track "Ok, Fine" to the butterflies-in-your-stomach "Dino Love" with its "will, will, will you be, be mine," slow melancholy of "Moonpretty," upbeat rhythms of "Human Machines" with its 1940s-movie-score intro and background, and the unexpected cover of Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," the album flows like cheap beer in a frat party. Only, you are consuming an endless stock of Cristal balthazars.

The playful Tater Tot is my personal favorite. Between the "oh, oh, oh" and "oh, yeah, yeah" and "oh, woah, woah, woah" there is nothing sensible. The murmuring sounds are my own native gibberish, the tune uppidy and catchy. I can close my eyes and imagine snowboarding on waves, farming on clouds, drinking cool-aid out of the sun. Yes, beautifully silly and inducing happiness all around. That is, Tater Tot.

The rest of the album does not disappoint either - it is a roller coaster. And in that, one you will not tire of.

Ok, Fine hit me at a time I was looking for fresh music. After tuning in to the album for three days straight, I can say confidently, comfortably and with utmost ecstasy that this album, my fellow Gybrians, is one of the best things to happen to music - in a long, long time.

Get your hot pants here. And there's a Pants Pants Pants link is on the left, enjoy the hotness of the Website, too.

As for me, I'll be floating in the Sega-inspired sounds of "Bonk Argh Bonk Dink Smash."



posted by Emre Peker

1. CD Release Party in your Pants, Pants, Pants
Friday June 29th
Social Studies (SF), Pants, Pants, Pants (SF), Fast Computers (Eugene), and Blue Skies for Black Hearts (Portland)
Bottom of the Hill
8pm
http://www.sfstation.com/bottom-of-the-hill-b1337
Pants, Pants, Pants drop their sophomore debut, OK Fine this Friday at Bottom of the Hill with local band Social Studies headlining. PPP’s bring their playful electronic pop and engaging live show to the stage with a sound recalling an early upbeat Stereolab but with a much better sense of humor. This trio makes the most of customized electronics from modified kiddy toys and an Atari 5600, and they create a unique sound – think the Pixies covering Björk.

Catch them now before they head out for their July tour, which will bring them from Sac to Seattle and back. For those who can’t hardly wait, it is available for free download from their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/pantspantspants (while there make sure to check out their video for the song "Fabio Salsa", which faithfully recreates the opening sequence of the SF-based show “Full House” shot by shot -- a true SF treat!)

6.19.07 Big update time! Our new album, "Ok, Fine" is now out and available (complete with limited edition fortune teller liner notes) and we're beaming like proud parents. You can download the whole thing for FREE (until June 29th) here.

Friday, June 29th also happens to be the date of our CD Release Party at Bottom of the Hill! You simply must attend. After the party we will depart on our Scrumdiddlyumptious Superfuntastitour all over the northwest with our good friend Uni. Check the shows page for all the details.

Big things are cooking in our world. We've been hard at work on the new album, and everything sounds amazing! Stay tuned in the next couple of weeks for more news on the CD release show and our upcoming west coast tour with Uni.