When The Golden Apple Hits arrived chez moi, my initial thought was that I'd received yet another installment of Deep Elm's Emo Diaries. This was due in large part to uncannily similar packaging; The Golden Apple Hits sports the same distinctive cursive font, simple design and limited color scheme that has become synonymous -- in my mind, at least -- with the burgeoning array of Deep Elm compilations. Closer inspection revealed that I couldn't be more wrong. In fact, upon hearing the CD's opening track, "Julliet", the uncontrollable bouncing in my leg told me that I'd stumbled upon music as bright and peppy as emo can be somber and morose. "Bouncy" is the definitely the operative word in describing The Multiple Cat; its jauntiness is both intense and unrepentant, as if to say "You WILL dance to this, dammit!" At the very least, you'll bob your head.
"Julliet" definitely starts the disc off right. I can't avoid a Ben Folds Five comparison, mainly due to the prominent piano pounding, but The Multiple Cat is clearly more demure -- more inclined to pop than rock. The tune begins with slow, big chords, light cymbals and a reserved bassline, but this is just the wind-up. Soon enough the tempo doubles, the piano player kicks the bench out from under him and perkiness kicks in with a vengeance. Simple horn lines adorn an underlying freneticism and vocals alternate between coyness and unabashed enthusiasm. "Savior in a Plaid Coat" is sugary pop that recalls the heady days of '80s synth-pop...without the synths. Its cyclic chord progression is sweet and unimposing and avoids detracting from the song's simple story. The jazzy electric piano coda at the end of the song is hip and tasty and keeps the track from degrading into corniness. The simple, intimate acoustic pop of "Canvassed and Spent" recalls the Red House Painters. Here, at least, the pep factor is diminished a bit and you can get charged up for the rest of the album.
The Multiple Cat hasn't released anything in three years, but The Golden Apple Hits more than makes up for their protracted absence. Its perky pop is smart and thoughtful, but never loses its sense of fun.
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