Once again, we bring you to the power pop hotbed of Omaha, Nebraska. A few days ago I told you about The Third Men, and today here are The Pendrakes with their fine debut, Sunday Punch. The band is led by Minneapolis transplant Paul Novak, and a definite Twin Cities/Midwestern influence can be found in the band's sound, which straddles the lines between power pop, heartland rock and Americana.
There are plenty of high points on the disc: opener "Dead Man Brake" and "Big Changes" are fine 'Mats-style rockers; "A Real Go Getter" has a bit of country swing to it that brings back some of Rhett Miller's lighter moments in the Old 97s; the title track has a Spoon feel to it; "Anyway Girl" is straight-ahead jangly power pop; and the slow waltz of "Vandalia Heights" even features some fine accordion work. There's quite a bit of subgenre-hopping here, but all of it is infused with a fine pop sensibility. More from Omaha, please!
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