Zmrzlina

Isn't it fun listening to art rock bands that also know how to play their instruments and record sound in many varieties and styles? There are many vibrant songs here, from raucous rock to the burlesque, then there is the Lush-like "Schoolgirls.” There are fairly nonsensical lyrics and a front-man sounding like a sassy Lou Reed, or a very excited Stephen Malkmus; there are simply too many references and influences to catalogue. There are violins and cellos and keyboards too. What an oddly enjoyable experience that, like the name, is hard to decipher and perhaps of questionable originality and/or hipness. But who will begrudge some novelty to an art rock band from San Fran? Surely not me. So very funny, so cute.