NewMusic First Spin: Tiny Masters of Today
June 12th, 2009
Artist: Tiny Masters of Today
Album: Skeletons
Release Date: June 16, 09
Label: Mute Records
Genre: Lo-Fi Pop/Punk Revival
Author: Cam Lindsay
Kids are nothing new to pop music, but as far as indie rock is concerned, there aren’t many 11-year-olds out there touring, recording with their idols and signing record deals with a label like Mute (legendary home to Depeche Mode, Moby and Goldfrapp, to name a few). And that’s what makes Tiny Masters of Today - Ivan and Ava, no last names please - a pair of Brooklyn-based siblings, so unique.
The duo were only 13 and 11 in 2007 when they released their debut album, Bang Bang Boom Cake, a collection of darlingly, bratty lo-fi pop songs that sounded like they were picked out of the dumpster like an adorable little doe-eyed puppy. Even more impressive than their dexterity and songwriting chops was their connections: Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Karen O and Nick Zinner, Kimya Dawson (of Moldy Peaches fame), Butthole Surfers’ Gibby Haynes, the B-52’s Fred Schneider and the Blues Explosion’s Russell Simins all chipped in to help out. Impressed yet?
Of course, they may be youngsters, but the Jonas Brothers they are not. Ivan and Ava mix in traces of hip-hop, sleazy rock’n’roll, punk and plenty of bubblegum (like the kind you’d find under the table) into their feisty pop punk frame.
Now a seasoned 15 (Ivan) and 13 (Ava), the duo are back with their second disc, another genre-bending jumble, bone-chillingly titled Skeletons. Despite the fact that they’re two years wiser, the Tiny Masters haven’t cleaned up their sound one bit on their sophomore effort (probably like their bedrooms). Nor have they dropped that adolescent charm that first got them noticed - see scuzzy, fragmented garage gem “Monkey in the Middle” for proof.
Other stand outs include “Pop Chart,” a dance number with the effervescence of a J-pop tune yet the quality of a water-logged demo, “Real Good,” which sounds like the Osmonds, if they were lo-fi obsessed hipsters, and the noisy blast of “Abercrombie Zombie,” which has a breakdown in the middle that is as cute as a button.
Anyone looking to feel young again or expand their idea of what qualifies as teen pop listen up – Tiny Masters of Today are more than willing to teach you a few things. Listen to the full album HERE.
Track Listing:
1. Drop The Bomb
2. Two Dead Soldiers
3. Skeletons
4. Pop Chart
5. Real Good
6. Big Stick
7. Monkey In The Middle
8. Big Bas Drum
9. Ghost Star
10. Understandable Honesty
11. Abercrombie Zombie
Posted on Friday, June 12th, 2009 at 4:41 pm by Klye and is filed under The New Music.
I interviewed this duo when they hit up the Whippersnapper for the Over The Top fest a few weeks ago. Awesome music. They still need to develop their live sound more but heck, they did more musically than I ever did back in the day.
Good to see you bringing over the super-indie vibe from Exclaim to Much. This EYE WEEKLY freelancer appreciates it and is joining your crusade.