Year Of The Banana

“Year Of The Banana” Rubblebucket
Rubblebucket is an art-pop and indie rock band based in Brooklyn, NY. Touring as a six-piece, the band is built around Kalmia Traver and Alex Toth. Traver and Toth became a couple in college in Vermont, but by 2015, their relationship was falling apart. These songs were inspired by poems Traver wrote at the time as the pair “peeled off psychological layers” (the ‘banana’ reference), searching for a way to remain friends and save their band. Both Traver (sax as well as flute and synths) and Alex (trumpet) are excellent horn players. Their arrangements take full advantage of this, incorporating rock, funk, R&B and jazzy elements into a fun, appealing sound. RIYL: St. Paul and The Broken Bones, Caroline Rose, Lettuce, The Hold Steady.
— Francis

Recommended: 1, 2, 6, 4, 3. No FCCs noted.

1. (3:52) Stella The Begonia — Catchy synth pop groove with a peppy bass line, big harmonies and solid brass riffs. ****
2. (3:26) Moving Without Touching — Bold and confident strut, giving off a Caroline Rose vibe (similar Vermont lineage). Heavily reverbed, doubled lead vocals with synth swirls, buzzy bass and complex rhythm. ****
3. (3:39) The Sorrow That Comes With Loving You — Sad, mid-tempo ballad. Hints of classic R&B style from the late 60s, especially as brass is added toward the track’s end. ***
4. (3:21) Rattlesnake — Funky tune that will have everyone moonwalking out on the dancefloor. Pays homage to Sound of Philadelphia bands and artists from the early 70s. Wild lead break with space-age synth solo. ***
5. (4:03) Morning Glory Blanket — Slow and sultry. Traver and Toth share the vocals. Shimmering wall of sound. Throaty sax solo near the end. A bit repetitive at times.
6. (3:35) Go All The Way With Me — Thumping, pulsing synth pop that recalls Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start The Fire” with Traver’s chill, virtually spoken vocals in the verses. Very danceable. ****
7. (4:09) Boomerang — Throwback ballad that transports us to an even earlier era — the ‘girl groups’ of the early 60s, singing about unrequited love. Chime-y synths. Handclaps. Atmospheric lead break.
8. (3:56) Swimming In The Light — Airy female vocals that simmer and sway on this modern R&B-flavored ballad. Brass is tastefully added.
9. (8:41) Forest Bathing — Epic, nine-minute dream pop closer with plenty of brass and multiple looping synth layers over a simple rhythm, persistent bass line, effects and church-like backing vocals. Quite experimental.