BANDS:

Punk & Ska
80's New Wave/
Post-Punk/
College Bands
90's & Beyond
Virginia, North
Carolina, & DC

The Sunday Mail: Self-Titled EP
[self-released]

The Sunday Mail, aside from its atrocious name, is a surprisingly interesting band.  An effective combination of piano, guitar, and well-laced hooks make The Sunday Mail a little better than your average bar band.  Hailing from the sinews of Foggy Bottom, this band probably puts on an exiting live show.  Their record, however, leaves much to be desired.  Apparently self-produced, the recording is poor on most of the tracks, and the mixing is worse.  Fortunately, this record is probably only a demo, and it is best to view it a something of a coming attraction rather than a finished product.

What kind of sound is The Sunday Mail producing, though?  The closet comparison is probably to a more rocking version of the Ben Folds Five.  The piano is out in front controlling the songs while the guitars are pushed to the periphery.  The songs lollygag along at the pace of a good boogie-woogie tune, while the guitars drip distorted chords along the sides.  Believe it or not, this strategy works pretty well and the product comes off sounding fresh and powerful.

The Sunday Mail also sounds like a young band that hasnt quite gotten its footing yet.  The guitars are almost silent in the mix, and it seems like the song-writer for the band is not quite sure what to do with them.  An effective use of guitar and bass could accentuate what are actually pretty good songs.  They could also add some desperately needed dynamics to songs that show a talent for song-writing that hasnt quite honed its sharp edge.  So, in short, go see The Sunday Mail if you get a chance, but you might want to wait until they mature a little before you buy a record. 

This album can be purchased at The Sunday Mail Official Website

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