Hey, do you remember a band called Gene? Their debut album, Olympian, came out back in '94, and they were immediately beset with comparisons to the Smiths. Thing about it was, well... they really did sound a lot like the Smiths. Yeah, they were a little louder and faster, but basically, it was the same shit. People kept asking them about it in interviews, y'know, like: "So you blokes really liked the Smiths, then, eh wot?" And I think they got a little defensive about it-- they took some affront. I think they really took the comparisons pretty hard, 'cause they released a second album that sounded a whole lot less like the Smiths. And it wasn't nearly as good as their first.

See, the thing about Gene was this: by the time Olympian was released, the Smiths had been disbanded for almost 10 years, and people missed them. People wanted them back. They were happy that Gene sounded the way they did. And the Smiths were never going to reform, so no harm done. On a related note, here's Sunset Valley. Incidentally, if there was a question about Sunset Valley on the SAT, it would be:

Gene: Smiths :: Sunset Valley: __________. 1. Pixies 2. Pixies 3. Pixies 4. The Pixies 5. Pixies

It would be one of those questions that you just can't get wrong, except that, obviously, #4 is a trick answer.

Yes, Sunset Valley sounds like the Pixies. And it's okay. It's just fine. Really. Because we miss the Pixies, and they're never going to reform, so no harm done. Let somebody else step up. Come on up, Sunset Valley-- give it a shot.

For the most part, these guys do a pretty good job of keeping the spirit of the Pixies alive. And here's something that helps: Sunset Valley don't sound just exactly like the Pixies. Basically, each different song sounds like the Pixies mixed with another band. Weird bands, unexpected bands. Good bands, even bad bands-- it doesn't matter. The formula is unbeatable: Pixies + another band = good song. See, like this:

"I Got Fair" = Pixies + They Might Be Giants
"Megapills" = Pixies + Talking Heads
"Tornado" = Pixies + Deep Purple
"Heatwave One" = Pixies + B-52's
"Happily Frozen" = Pixies + Beatles (note: this is the same as Beatles + Beatles or Pixies + Pixies, due to the Pixies/Beatles isomorphism)
"Solid Goldmine" = Pixies + Oingo Boingo

And on like that, a whole album's worth. The songs are a little longer on average than Pixies songs (Boyscout Superhero sports 11 songs over 35 minutes-- Doolittle crammed 15 songs into 38 minutes). Sunset Valley's lyrical approach is a little different too-- more verbose and narrative. They've also got the same sense of humor as the Pixies, mostly. Oh, but they don't have Kim Deal on bass. Or Frank Black on vocals. Or Joey Santiago on lead guitar. They don't even have David Lovering on drums! But hey, let's afford them a few flaws. Besides, they do have Tony Lash (ex-Heatmiser) on drums, and that's nothing to scoff at. But I mean, the band's frontman, Herman Jolly, could stand to put on some weight. And take a ridiculous stage name. I mean, come on!

-Zach Hooker