Princeton is a pop band out of California with a name that can easily be mistaken for the Ivy-league school. Accidental comparisons to Vampire Weekend could occur and while it wouldn’t be that far off as Princeton is proving to be a pretty good band in their own right.
Some bands just know how to make a good songs and an album. Princeton seems to be a natural talent and they don’t overcomplicate things. They stick to the indie pop with multiple instruments and catchy hooks. Yet they make the most of it and are pretty good example why I tend to like the “pop” genre.
Even though the band is incredibly consistent throughout the record, it’s hard to put a name to their sound. Sometimes they are similar to the vocals of The National mix in some folk pop from Jens Lekman yet finding their own sound in between.It’s hard to say who’s the lead vocalist/guitarist/bassist after seeing that the Kivel twins (identical and they seem to be only different in attire) switch back and forth. Anyway, song after song the band keeps impressing. It’d be hard to choose singles (label chose Calypso Gold.Martina and Clive Krantz and Shout It Out was a single earlier released) as Princeton could very well be the hit maker. My favorites include the introductory Sadie and Andy and Korean War Memorial but otherwise it’s irrelevant as you have 11 very good tracks. The songs feel like a great 80s soundtrack. It just feels nostalgic in a great way like it could be a great soundtrack for an 80’s romance (not that the movie would be any good).
While they do have classical influenced instrumentation, it’s not overdone, the band clearly knows that sometimes simplifying is the way to go and the band seemingly refuse to fail in this regard. I could see some rating this a little low because it doesn’t have major risks or that cool anesthetic. The band makes you feel like they don’t need to take risks as they are really good at what they do; as for being cool, I’m not sure if it’ll ever be a major factor as it’s more of the lines of geeky indie pop – which I’m totally satisfied with.
I know nothing about bands being the “the next big thing”. But Princeton sure has that ability to be that band (great pop songs, good singers, good looking, GREAT live show considered preppy due to the misnomer and they have girls dancing and singing to their songs which always has the guys to follow).
Source : http://awmusic.ca/2009/09/29/princeton-cocoon-of-love
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