The Softies - Classic or Duddddd

And classic, of course. But I would say that.

"Love Seat" is my favorite Slumberland single. Pure twee bliss.

The "He'll Never Have To Know" single is nice, my favorite Softies song is probably one of the b-sides, "Lambretta Boy". You'll understand if you hear it.

Their eponymous album on Slumberland is just as dreamy as it is twee. The guitars are drenched in reverb, and the vocals are low in the mix. Really different from any other music they've made.

'Winter Pageant' is pretty underrated, I'd say. This was my first Softies album, and it's what got me hooked. The best songs on that one are "Over", "No One At All", "The Best Days", "Anywhere But Here", and "Winter Pageant". I guess I understand how someone could say this album is skippable if you're not really into this brand of soft indiepop, but I think it's great. I guess check this one out last if you're not really into this music, I guess.

"Holiday In Rhode Island" sounds nothing like Marine Girls. Acoustic guitars, more tuneful songs, more refined, you hear lots of growth as a band in this one. More like Rose Melberg's new solo album. I'd say check this one out after 'It's Love'. I'd recommend 'It's Love' first to anybody, though.

So, I'd say go in this order:

'It's Love'
'Holiday In Rhode Island'
Their eponymous album on Slumberland
singles and compilation appearances
'Winter Pageant'

Also notable is the Three Peeps single. Which was basically The Softies + Peter of Class. Two of these songs are on Rose's first solo album.

Of course, those singles and probably some of the compilions are out of print now, so you'd have to download them. I own it all, though.

And though many of Rose and Jen's songs are happy, they're capable of hitting you with something scathing, like It's Love's "Charms Around Your Wrist" - an understated indictment of a zine-editor friend. (I think I may know who it is, but there were so many Rose interviews in so many fanzines at the time that it's impossible to know for sure.)

I've got Rose Melberg's new solo album but have not really had a chance to sit down and take a very good listen to it outside of the jaw-droppingly good 'Irene.'

That said, her first solo album is the only really underwhelming thing that she's done.

The Marine Girls comparison upthread might not be that off the mark. I was playing the Tracy Thorn solo album the other day and thinking about how the sensibility is similar. Rose probably won't have a chart-topping hit, however.

that pitchfork review, what the wtf? really, were they just trying to be shocking? that has to be one of the most thoughtless reviews i've ever read there. really, he makes no argument whatsoever as to why he thinks it's such a bad record. all he says is that she's not writing them like she did for 'it's love' anymore. of course she wouldn't be writing songs like those anymore. that's ten years ago now. she's married and has a kid. she's probably not going to write anymore naive (i suppose) songs about the newness of love. if she'd had, they would have came off as so insincere. the new album's exactly what it should be. it shows a lot of growth and new maturity as a songwriter, and she sounds just as great as ever. just give "cast away the clouds" a listen. and, "irene", the way that she harmonizes now. sooo perfect. swoon.

Melberg's frequently mentioned Thorn (particularly the solo album) as an influence.

xpost -- Not that I care what pitchfork thinks, I think the low numerical rating can be attributed to the point made that it doesn't sound like the Softies and I agree, it doesn't -- so? It's a more mature album and has taken a few listens to begin to sink in. Someone looking for an immediate tweepop thrill are going to be disappointed. This album requires you to live with it for a while.

I responded to another outraged reaction at greater length here: http://rawkblog.blogspot.com/2006/06/critical-backlash-why-i-hate-rock.html

...What other "mature" albums do you guys like, anyway? Isn't that just code for "bland"?

This "Elliott Smith comparisons" business seems to me a bit of a red herring -- I haven't heard anyone trying to compare the album to Smith, short of the record company's blurb, which doesn't really count. (I assume that has something to do with the fact that the Softies toured with Smith... but the emotional ranges of the two are almost completely different, to begin with. And also other things.)

In this case, "mature" is code for your "bland" only insofar as your "bland" is code for my "composed, deliberate, and maybe a bit overly crafted at times but not so much as to overshadow the quality of the tunes". The bottom line is, you didn't like the songs, which is your right. You can't expect anyone to like some songs. But the fact that you see such a wide gap between this album and Holiday is a bit baffling -- maybe such a gap is there, but myself, I just don't see it. (What did you go into the album expecting?)

But then again, I will usually enjoy the works of a favorite musician long past his/her prime; Amelia Fletcher still hasn't released an album I don't love, and I continue to like Elvis Costello a lot when he's not messing about with orchestras or Burt Bacharach or the like. Maybe it's a weakness on my part. Ah, well.

OTM. I don't mind using the word, because it conveys a certain sound and sensibility, and because I don't think it's something for which people should have to keep apologizing. Genre labels are inherently nebulous, subgenre labels even more so, but they're helpful to people, and they describe broad swathes of music that include both good and bad. Twee guilt should have ended with Tullycraft.

In sum: Softies = Classique!

Marc H., if you do happen to read this, just how long have you been into indie pop/twee? I remembered The Softies' 'It's Love' being featured in Pitchfork's "Found Sound" article in 2004, and sure enough, it was you that did the write up; on The Softies' 'It's Love', in Pitchfork's "Found Sound", in just 2004. Also, in that article, you said this: "The Softies' debut is all acoustic guitars..." Those really sound like acoustic guitars to you, buddy? And, you keep using the term 'cuddlecore'. 'Cuddlecore' has always been used to describe more *punk rock* sounding twee bands, and was always a very derogatory term, (except for in the case of cub, who only used it in good fun, but that's it). You also said a couple of other stupid things in that little blurb that I'm not bothering to mention, right now. What I'm getting at though is, what are you? some kind of hipster nu-tweeist? Really, Rose Melberg's not allowed to mature as a songwriter and branch out a little? You've really given her new album a -Pitchfork- 3.9 beacause she's legendary twee pop princess, Rose Melberg, and her latest album isn't quite full-on holding hands and smiles (well, her albums never were before really, but they did *sound* like they were) and she's taken on a more refined, introspective approach? Please. The hooks are still there, the harmonies are even sweeter than ever, the new songs just have a new sense of confidence that was never there before, and that's what bothers you about it. It wasn't what you were hoping for, and you don't know how to handle it; you don't *get* it. i.e., you're not into it because it's not really cute-sey. I'm calling you a tweeist in the most negative sense you can imagine. You're a hipster nu-tweeist and you gave Rose Melberg's new album a bad review because it's not cute-sey. Man, what are you into, nothing but crappy bands on Shelflife? Get over the past and let artists like Rose Melberg grow.

Anyway... It's great that I'm starting to see The Softies get the wide recognition and wide approval that they've always deserved. And, Rose Melberg is an angel sent from heaven. She could just never set a foot wrong. She and The Softies are just too good to be true.

Seriously, though, that "acoustic" line makes me cringe now, too. Sorry about that.

That would be me. Actually, just the good bands on Shelflife.

the lyrics to 'sleep away your troubles' give me the absolute creeps for some reason. these really are lovely sounding records though

man Winter Pageant is far and away my favorite Softies album. Oh the great things that can happen when you pair a genius and a nave.

I think the Slumberland mini-album is my fave.

also search the Gaze cover of "Nine Lives to Rigel Fave" but don't buy the whole album.

Rigel Five, sorry

The Gaze albums aren't really up to much really. I have one of them, but the only reason I haven't sold it is because I wouldn't get shit for it.

really? i like both, i guess i didn't expect them to set my world on fire and they don't quite but that's ok

I think I like the album I don't have better than the one I do (Mitsumeru)

I've been listening to Go Sailor on spotify. I don't know if they're that good but I just can't say no to the gorgeous white-on-purple sailor chick on the cover.

I wish I had some Softies records; they're not on spotify; I guess the CDs are available from somewhere?

"Listen, kid, I was carrying a Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox back when you were still ... carrying a Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox."

that is quite witty!

man Winter Pageant is far and away my favorite Softies album. Oh the great things that can happen when you pair a genius and a nave.

― wanko ergo sum, Friday, February 22, 2008 9:35 PM (11 months ago)

Waht does this even mean?

Not a lot, by the look of it.

Listening to nothing but Softies, a lot of the time.

Softies, Lois, Spinanes, Beanpole, Crabs, Lida Husik, Crowsdell, etc.

Is there a name for the spare, sweet side of girly indie pop?

Oh, Linda Smith too, etc. etc.

Just discovered them yesterday night and I feel like I have found something that I've been looking for a long long time. They sound perfect at the moment. I'm only at It's Love right now. I'll get Holiday soon.

https://thesofties.bandcamp.com/album/the-bed-i-made

The Softies, comprised of Rose Melberg and Jen Sbragia, embody timeless themes of friendship and self-discovery through their minimalist pop soundworld. Since their formation in 1994, they've created uncluttered and fearlessly vulnerable music, contrasting with prevailing trends. The Bed I Made, The Softies’ first new studio album in 24 years, showcases growth while reflecting on life's complexities with lyrics drawn from real experiences. Despite individual pursuits and personal losses, Melberg and Sbragia reunite, channeling grief and rejuvenation into an album that captures the essence of their enduring friendship and offers hope and renewal amid life's challenges. Through their perfectly-paired harmonies and telepathic playing, they navigate the present, past, and future, offering a poignant continuation of their musical legacy, resonating like time spent with an old friend who knows you best.

I see a show booked here in SF in late Oct.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJNCEwzxImA

In the photo on the inside sleeve of the new album Rose looks exactly like Velma Dinkley. Exactly.

Anyway it's super cool that they're back