Cruel Runnings

Miniature Tigers
Cruel Runnings
Yebo Music, 2014

Miniature Tigers have always been so much fun to listen to. This album takes that to a new level of synth-filled, indie-pop goodness. Makes you think of the colors in their album cover; somehow, they’ve managed to capture the essence of bubblegum pink, seafoam green and highlighter yellow in a series of ten summer-ready songs. Influences from 60s, 70s, 80s pop (light guitar, heavy bass, electronic noise, a touch of lo-fi).

FCCs: 2, 3, 9

**1. (3:28) Aptly named “Swimming Pool Blues”, as the light synth and strumming guitar is reminiscent of beach trips and summer-themed movie montages.
2. (3:30) Driven by groovy keys, bumpin’ bass and dreamy “oooh”s and “aaaah”s. Unfortunate FCC: “shit” (as seen in track name).
3. (3:18) Electronic, video game-esque melody. Having quite a bit of mid-tempo fun with the keys here. Unfortunate FCC no. 2: “fuck”, in opening verse and subsequent harmonies.
**4. (3:50) A bit of everything! Reverbed vox, groovy bass, some heavy synth on keys, tropical island-y beat and sound bites scattered throughout. Makes you want to sway/sing along.
*5. (3:39) Really liking the guitar here—another toe-tapping beach-ready melody, topped with more synth and solid instrumental solos. Amusing lyrics.
6. (3:04) Almost sounds like you’re inside a video game (keys, chimes). The chorus is a bit more energetic, breaks you out of the electronic trance. Feels a bit repetitive by the end.
7. (3:30) A solid track, with dreamy keys and strings (!) for emphasis. The slight scatting/doo-wopping in the chorus is very sing-along-able.
*8. (3:14) Slower tempo, simpler composition with more emphasis on lead vox. The highlight of the song: the little synth noises/drum beats that serve as a break between reverbed vox and driving bass.
9. (2:56) Back to the summer-ready tunes! Most lo-fi-ed track on the album, extremely catchy guitar strumming and humming. Unfortunate FCC no. 3: “fuck”.
***10. (3:20) Slower, psychedelic pacing/vibe. Nice touch: the backing harmonies (“ooooh”)/strings and the high-pitched sound bite that opens the track/keeps it going (“ah-la-la-la”). Great synth-driven chorus, great groovy bass. Excellent track.