What's In a Name, Anyway?: The Soft Pack

Back in 2008, a San Diego post-punk quartet named the Muslims released a self-titled LP that drew immense attention from many different angles. People described them as "hotly tipped" and "the raddest band out of Southern California", comparisons were drawn towards the Strokes and Paul Westerberg, but more prevalent were the references to Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers due to vocalist Matt Lamkin's sarcastic deadpan. Paired with chipping guitars that packed a punch and yet aren't too abrasive, the band had developed a deadly combination. The only problem was the name.

"When we started the band," the group wrote on their MySpace, "the name meant absolutely nothing to us and grew to be something we couldn't stand..We were disgusted with and exhausted by all of the ignorant, often racist, bullshit that came out of people's mouths during shows/interviews/conversations."

So the Muslims, after the tour which was promoting their LP of the same name, decided by the end of 2008 to become the Soft Pack. Members of the band made sure to remind their fans that they had not sold out, and indeed are "still broke as ever." Following short after them, another West Coast rising act - Starfucker - changed their name to Pyramidd, also due to unwanted controversy.

Anyway, the band formerly known as the Muslims have just released their first album as the Soft Pack, "The Soft Pack" (the four guys are clearly keen on self-titled releases). While the name is different, the sound shows less variation - however, in my opinion, that's not a bad thing at all. While the overall sound is almost identical to their 2008 release, the band has managed to preserve their best aspects - the disaffected vocals, the youthful, puncturing guitar, and the danceable drum beats. I've included two tracks off the album - the single, "C'mon" and my favorite track right now, the outstanding "Answer to Yourself" - and I assure you every track on the album is as exciting and danceable as these two. And to show how similar the two albums are, I've also thrown in a Muslims track, "Future Rock".

2010 has already boasted a number of outstanding albums from such acts as Beach House, Surfer Blood, and Toro Y Moi - however, this perhaps is my favorite of the year's releases. We're only halfway through February, however, so I wish this statement had a bit more weight to it. Just check this band out; it's worth it. Even if the name might make you feel a bit uncomfortable.



UPDATE: Some douche decided to make the last video "private" (?), so instead here's a live version for Seattle radio station KEXP.

The Soft Pack - C'mon

The Soft Pack - Answer To Yourself

The Muslims - Future Rock

And for those of you 21'ers (or people with good fakes), the four lads will be stopping by the Turf Club in Saint Paul on April 10th. After you listen to these tracks, you won't need my recommendation to go see them.

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