The Rosebuds | Make Out
A Ryan J. Mack Review

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Alright, let's face it. Indie music has a reputation for being...well, to put it politely...snobby. Who hasn't gone into the big-chain yet-trendy record store and had to face down punked up almost-stars on the verge of their own discovery when they couldn't find what they wanted?

And who hasn't entertained the idea of leaving empty handed rather than talk to the hot Goth chick who knows bands so amazing yet so obscure they haven't even been formed yet, about an album that chick will probably consider adequate at best? Who hasn't read part of this and thought-dude, you still go to Amoeba? Let me take you to my record store. It's a downright gauntlet of name recognizing, show seeing, orchestrated accidental hip-ness. Image injuries are inevitable, but rarely fatal.

But, stay strong! Stay strong in what you like. Know that not everything has to shake the foundations of music as we know it. Sometimes, you want to kick back and enjoy. So, in the spirit of simple pleasure, enter The Rosebuds.

The Raleigh, North Carolina trio has released a blissful outpouring of energetic hook laden tunes. Though they occasionally rely too heavily on repeated lyrics and combinations of wordless filler(yeah, yeah, yeah- yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah- yeah. Yeah. I say Yeah! or- ah ah ah ba ba ba ba- ba ba ba ba!), and lack the significant lyrical depth of a more mature band, for a debut, Merge Records has discovered an undeniably catchy collection. It's just fun.

It starts off strong with "Back to Boston", before taking a minor dive into a few mindlessly fun (not necessarily an insult) tracks before hitting its real stride, sliding into it with the dreamy regret of "Big Heartbreak". The short and sweetly pop "What Can I Do?" walks best the fine line of combining catch with attention. I do love a good happy song with sad lyrics. It ends with "Make Out Song", cooling down but not lessening on the attention holding factor.

It might not change the future of music. It might not change your life. But on the other hand- it just might. Who can say? And really- who cares? If you feel like empty ear calories, eat your musical candy. You can go back on your diet tomorrow. Buy it