7inch Sunday is a segment devoted entirely to 7” vinyl and the all-encompassing experience surrounding it. Although most publications cover major releases, the vinyl single is often overlooked and given nothing more than a half-hearted nod of acknowledgement. This weekly feature is a hub for 7” reviews, exploring the B-sides and rarities of artists that may often go unnoticed.
Each Sunday I will review 7” vinyl from artists who venture this extra mile to hold their singles high above the sea of digital releases. I hope to embody the spirit of vinyl while sharing some fantastic music with you, the reader. Let’s get started.
If there is one label that I would trust with my musical life, it is Polyvinyl Record Co. The Illinois-based company blends boutique products with incredible prices and and equally stunning roster. Very rarely do I check out unfamiliar artists without a trusted recommendation, but if they come with Polyvinyl’s seal of approval, there’s no way I can pass them up. A couple weeks ago I was introduced to a reformed Saturday Looks Good to Me, and Polyvinyl has once again done us right.
For the first time in four years, Saturday Looks Good to Me have broken their silence. After a mysteriously unofficial hiatus, the Michigan indie fixture is back with a revamped sound and new singer. Sunglasses, the group’s single, proves that the band is ready for their second wind more than ever.
The A-side of the record, “Sunglasses,” is a complex and involved homage to the group’s own innovative approach to their music. Introduced with a horn section and Dick Dale-inspired surf rock guitar, Saturday Looks Good to Me is as hard to pin down as they are to ignore. Carol Catherine, the outfit’s newfound singer, quickly takes center stage as her vocal range reaches everywhere from whispery falsettos to an impressive baritone caliber.
“Give Me Your Hands” is a short-but-sweet complement to the A-side’s vibrant textures and nuances. Similar to Spoon’s “The Ghost of You Lingers” from Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, this B-side’s electric organ accepts both the roles of rhythm and accompaniment. Catherine works out a brief duet alongside Fred Thomas (formerly of His Name is Alive) that retains equal simplicity to the instrumentation with a monophonic melody.
My only complaint from this single is that there is room for more. Saturday Looks Good to Me haven’t missed a step with their first release since 2008, and the added rumor of a 2013 release preludes what may be the band’s ultimate renaissance.
Check back next week for a look at The Walkmen’s Dance With Your Partner.
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