Mighty Fairly

Perfectly Good Airplanes

Record Review by Marcel Feldmar

Initially, this CD from Minneapolis trio Mighty Fairly hints at similar styles and sounds of a couple of bands. That’s really not surprising to me, as I tend to hear many bands in many bands… but what gets me is that I can’t quite place them. It’s a pleasant surprise, especially from a nice and poppy indie rock band, and then it becomes a challenge. It’s radio-friendly, but at the same time, too clever for the radio. It’s twee and melodic, but full of upbeat pop. Romantic and wistful, and joyful and excited. Slight countrified rock indie-jazz twang jangle. C’mon, who do they sound like? Figure it out, I dare ya. I can throw down a couple of bands that too many people have never heard of, sure… but sometimes it’s more fun to figure it out for yourself. Maybe like a slightly more serious Dead Milkmen trying to move towards that light hearted R.E.M. vibe? It’s pop and light-hearted, and sometimes there almost needs to be a little more depth to the strum and twang of guitar, but if you are just feeling happy – then why worry about it. Sometimes it does get into the rock a bit harder, throwing out some hard chords, but that seems to be just to show that they could rock if they wanted to, but they choose to just hit the pop fun.