The Icicles 'Arrivals & Departures' album

What would happen if a group of life-versed adults tackled the themes of young love and youthful naivety within a sixties' pop format? Well, you're about to find out. The Icicles create young people's music with a reflective palette. Sweet pop melodies remain with listeners indefinitely. The band's debut A Hundred Patterns dazzled music fans, as well as ad execs for Motorola, who used the single "Sugar Sweet" in a national campaign. The group's newest effort is an ample offering of cheery tunes-- perfect for a summer day. Engineer Britt Myers (Essex Green, Dressy Bessy) joined the band in the studio to ensure a unique sound, and helps set the group apart from the other girl-fronted pop offerings on the indie scene. With a sound that isn't far from indie frontrunners Camera Obscura and guitar lines reminiscent of The Cure, this band is quite a treat.

With the overwhelming commercial success of indie bands like The Shins stemming from exposure in movies such as “Garden State”, today’s music supervisors have their ears to the ground for the freshest new talent to add the soundtrack to films, television shows and advertisements. These days, it's becoming more and more common for unsigned bands or bands with tiny label deals to be paid handsomely for a sync license, allowing the band to make more records, tour and have its music reach a broader audience than it ever could have before.

When it comes to giant corporations lending a hand to indie bands, this time the particular song of interest was a deliciously infectious number called “Sugar Sweet” by the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based band, The Icicles, and the company in question was Motorola. The song had been around for a while, appearing on The Icicles' last record A Hundred Patterns. That album, produced by Ladybug Transistor front man Gary Olson, and mastered by Britt Myers (Dressy Bessy, Essex Green), turned the heads of influential blogs such as You Ain't No Picasso, and media outlets such as PopMatters (“The combination of Gretchen DeVault's sweet-and-sour lyrics and Joleen Rumsey's refreshingly non-flashy organ playing might have something to do with why The Icicles might be onto a magic formula.”), but it wasn't until Motorola came into the picture that The Icicles managed to reach millions.

The quintet signed on the dotted line with Motorola to have “Sugar Sweet” used in the company's ad campaign for its new KRZR mobile phone, now airing on E!, FX, ESPN, VH1, and MTV, as well as at AMC movie theaters.

Expect more from The Icicles in 2007 as the band is currently back in the studio with Britt Meyers putting the finishing touches on its second LP, Arrivals & Departures, which will hit stores this spring. In addition to Gary Olson and Myers, the band has also worked with noted producer Dave Trumfio (OK Go, My Morning Jacket, Billy Bragg & Wilco) who produced The Icicles' EP, Pure Sugar.

Biography

While "Pure Sugar" is pure pop, "A Hundred Patterns" displays the bands continual maturation process. The pop elements are all there, but there is also an underlying sense of melancholy most noticeable on the beautifully quiet "Pretty" which features Jeff Baron (Ladybug Transistor, Essex Green, Sixth Great Lake) on guitar. Pop fans need not worry, there are also plenty of get-up-out-of-your-seat-and-dance songs like "I Wanna Know."

Along with some changes in the tone of the album, the line up has changed. Gretchen DeVault (vocals, guitar) and Joleen Rumsey (vocals, keyboard, glock) are back with a new rhythm section including Emily Krueger (bass guitar) and Greg Krupp (vocals, drums).

The foursome traveled to Marlborugh Farms in Brooklyn, NY to record with Ladybug Transistor front man Gary Olson and Bill Wells. The album was mixed and mastered by Britt Myers who produced and engineered Dressy Bessy's second and third albums. Myer also mixed the Essex Green's album "The Long Goodbye" released on Merge Records and James William Hindle's album Prospect Park released on Badman Records.

All the new faces add to the depth of this album. This group has managed to walk the thin line between throw away pop and over-serious pretentious rock with a skill that is nothing short of amazing.

The best elements of "Pure Sugar" all return on "A Hundred Patterns." There are sweet melodies, beautiful harmonies, smooth bass lines, solid toe-tapping drum beats and great sing along choruses. But somehow the sum is more than the total of the parts. The Icicles have magically sewn together a classic pop album that will keep you warm on those cold winter nights, and will keep you cool during the dog days of summer.

** NOTE **
No release date is known.

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The Icicles - Arrivals & Departures