Catherine

Hot Saki and Bed Time Stories (TVT)
by Sheril Stanford

Talk about instant credibility. Catherine downplays the Pumpkins connection, but they recorded Hot Saki and Bed Time Stories at an apple farm in southern Michigan owned by none other than Pumpkins bassist D’Arcy Brown and her husband, Kerry. Mr. Brown just happens to be Catherine’s drummer and Mrs. Brown duets with vocalist/guitarist Mark Rew on the disc’s first single, “Four Leaf Clover.” A catchy collection of unapologetic indie-brand pop, Hot Saki… would probably survive quite nicely on its own, thank you, even without the Pumpkins’ added cachet. Like all the best pop since the beginning of time (or thereabouts), Catherine plasters bitter posters of lyrical ugliness on lovely, freshly painted backdrops. It may be formulaic, but it works. “Punch Me Out” rides the wave of urban angst and ennui (“don’t like the sun in the morning / don’t like the moon at night / feel like a corpse without a coffin / everything seems so boring…”) and features a spare arrangement with acoustic guitar, sweet harmonies, and the occasional country twang. A dark, moody piece, “Milkshake” ranges from simple to lush, almost orchestral, and the band plays homage to the boys who gave you Dark Side of the Moon on “Pink Floyd Poster.” Taking a risk is the subject matter of “Vegas Glam,” a rowdy rocker reminiscent of the ‘80s and “Four Leaf Clover” is a can’t-miss combination of driving rhythms, catchy melodies and sing-along lyrics: “I’ve made, I’ve made up my mind / I’ve tried doin’ it over and over / but you’re never gonna be my four leaf clover… gotta tell ya you’re just a has-been.” Okay, so maybe Catherine the Great is a bit of an overstatement, but they’re pretty damn good. Hooky, charming and friendly – what more do ya want?