"Road To Happiness" cdep (Humblebee)
Brazilian Postal Blue has been one my favourite indiepop bands since I first heard their music. The album International Breeze maybe could have been even better, but it was still a great release. Now Humblebee recordings brings us new ep entitled Road to Happiness that contains five new songs from the band. Needless to say that it's a sweet release and easily lets Postal Blue keep the part of my heart which they have already won before. Maybe after Road to Happiness they even have a slightly bigger share of it. The opener The World Doesn't Need You might bring them some new fans. It definitely has some indie hit potential and it isn't so overly sweet and sensitive as some of their material. Of course with Adriano Ribeiro's voice even the memoirs of a serial killer would sound sweet. The rest of the songs are almost equally wonderful. The pretty verse of It Won't Last being even the most delightful moment of the release. Road to Happiness contains all the needed elements for a great pop record. Beautiful vocals, catchy melodies, shining guitars and thoughtful arrangements. If it possible to be melancholic and sunny at the same time then that's what Postal Blue is. Surely you've heard it all before, but if you are fan of sweet and delightful indiepop you should get acquainted with this lovely brazilian band.
from One Chord To Another
"Road To Happiness" cdep (Humblebee)
Brazilian band Postal Blue's fourth release, Road to Happiness, is a delightfully sweet tonic of bright, bubbly pop with an alt-country twist. The band is clearly influenced by The Smiths and The Cure, but Postal Blue is a distinct departure from your typical Britpop band.
The first song on the EP, "The World Doesn't Need You," is probably what Robert Smith would sound like if he picked up the harmonica and took a road trip through tumbleweed country. One weakness of the album is the lack of variation in the melodies: the second song, "It Won't Last," is so similar to the first song that I thought my iPod was on repeat mode. The band begins to show some versatility with "Vou Deixar Pra Depois," which shifts to a gauzier sound. "I’m Glad You Know" is the most distinct song on the album: Postal Blue sheds the alt-country vibe, and André Costa’s delicate drumming combines with Adriano Ribeiro’s keyboards and understated vocals to form a beautiful pop lullaby.
Although Postal Blue maintains a narrow range of melodies and vocals, Ribeiro’s ability to capture sadness without drowning in melancholy and the peppy pop instrumentation provide a pleasant pick-me-up that will send your blues away.
from Imaginary NYC Kelly D
"Road To Happiness" cdep (Humblebee)
I suppose for the record it should be stated that the lead singer of this band, Adriano Ribeiro is of all the many friends I have in the business probably my closest. We've been fighting..err talking via email for a number of years now and have gotten about as close as two people can get who've never met. (I will also say he is pissed he's never gotten a 10+ score) This outing is one that's been "in the can" for some time now, and in fact I had it all in mp3 form for well over a year. The problem with that is now that this has been released it's not exactly new or exciting for me, although I must say it's nice to be able to hear it on my stereo finally. As for the music, in many aspects it stakes out somewhat new territory for the band as it tries to embrace the roots of 80's brit guitar pop more openly. Adi has long lamented getting compared to "Belle" simply because his voice sounds like their lead singer Stuart Murdoch, to which I've told him that's Gods fault not his. I even think Adi is older, so he had it first anyway. (I prodded him to cover their "Get Me Away From Here I'm Dying" which he then did a short demo of for me, and I think it's better than the original) Anyway, gossip aside, this is without question an EP that will appeal to a far broader base of pop kids than their previous work perhaps has. It even includes their first song sung in their native tongue, Portuguese. While no 10+ yet, this is a very nice ep and certainly worth getting as none of this will ever appear ever again on anything else. I know that because our boy is planning massive changes for this band, new sounds, new instruments and the works, and I can hardly wait. (He might even be touring the east coast this summer) So get this slice of 80's pop perfection while you can and then hold your breath, for a change is in the wind...
from Indie Spin Zone
"Road To Happiness" cdep (Humblebee)
The five songs on this EP were recorded in 2004 but not released until just recently, mainly because this Brazilian quartet are known perfectionists. Well, I'm happy to report that Postal Blue are still improving with each release, and that this is their best record yet! In fact, they sound like they're really grown and matured as a band - while they still share a lot of similarities with Blueboy and the Fairways, their sound seems to have gotten a lot more confident on this record, and the songs on this disc aren't as fragile-sounding as the band's previous releases. This also allows some of their other influences (like Felt, Ride, Teenage Fanclub and the Orchids) to show through. If their next album sounds like this (and from what I hear, it's nearly complete), then they could have a hit on their hands! MTQ=5/5
from IndiePages
"Road To Happiness" cdep (Humblebee)
Postal Blue son una banda de Brasil, aunque su sonido se acerca mucho más al de algunas bandas al puro estilo de la campiña inglesa, como podrían ser Belle & Sebastian, por citar la referencia más inmediata. Cercanos también al estilo de sus compatriotas Pale Sunday, con los que también comparten sello, Postal Blue nos ofrecen gráciles y cálidas canciones pop, llenas de mágia, acompañadas de guitarras armónicas, vientos y guitarras cristalinas.
"Road To Happiness", es su nuevo e.p, compuesto por cinco bellos temas, nuevo trabajo tras la publicación de su último disco, "International Breeze", que editaron en el dos mil cuatro junto al sello Shelflife, en el que ya nos introducían en ese pop fresco, sin demasiadas pretensiones, pero alejado por otro lado de cualquier tipo de moda del momento.
El disco abre con el tema “The world doesn’t need you”, que es quizás la más triste, pero la que más nos acerca a bandas como The Smiths, Stereolab o Belle & Sebastian, nos introduce en su límpido sonido. Le sigue, “It won’t last”, bastante semejante en estructura a la anterior, pero con el aliciente de introducir un órgano hammond. El tema tres lleva por nombre “I took the love you were hiding”, en la que nos topamos con una furtiva trompeta al fondo que sirve de guinda a la canción. Tratando de experimentar con su propio idioma, dejando el inglés de lado, componen “Vou deixar pra depois”, otra bella y melódica sinfonía. El disco acaba con “I’m glad you know”, la más lenta del disco y la más instrumentada.
Quizá Postal Blue no revolucione la escena musical, pero quizás si que avive nuestros corazones, la escucha de “Road to hapiness” es recomendada para aquellos amantes de la música pop más delicada, dulce, romántica y detallista, por lo que vale realmente la pena detenerse a disfrutar de ella.
from Pop Child
"Road To Happiness" cdep (Humblebee)
The Brazilian indie-pop group Postal Blue's 5-song EP Road to Happiness follows much in the tradition of their previous releases (two EPs and an LP)…which is to say that it's gorgeous pop music with an air of melancholy to it: gently sad but also overly hopeful. The EP starts off with "The World Doesn't Need You," which has an especially muscular, tight musical base over which singer Adriano Ribeiro's voice glides. His is a romantic, intensely sensitive voice which stays in the upper registers while conveying a bittersweet feeling. That first track cuts off sharply at the two and a half-minute mark, as a perfect pop single should, leading then into four more tracks with an equally full sound, an equally bright tenor, and an overriding air of longing. There's a Smiths-like tone to one track ("I Took the Love You Were Hiding") and a delightful bubblegum pop flavor to the whole affair. The songs are catchy, sharp, and exceedingly pleasant, even as they carry within their welcoming, sweet demeanor a feeling of heartbreak. It's another superb release from a group with its own distinct personality, playing music that relaxes you while conjuring up ineffable sense of longing.
from Erasing Clouds
"Road To Happiness" cdep (Humblebee)
This new EP from the Brazilian indie-pop Postal Blue sees five tracks recorded in 2004 finally getting a release on the Canadian Humblebee Recordings label.
The band are heavily influenced by the late 1980's UK indie scene and opening track The World Doesn't Need You sounds like it was lifted straight from the back catalogue of Sarah Records. It wouldn't have been out of place on last years indie-pop compilation on Rough Trade if the compilers have bothered to broaden their horizons outside of Europe and the states.
The rest of the EP is delivered along the same lines. Twee jangle pop with bittersweet lyrics although i'm not sure what is being sung on Vou Deixar Pra Depois which is the first song they have released in their native Portuguese.
This is a fine collection of songs although we will have to wait and see whether any new recordings emerge. In the meantime the band have covered Josef's Gone for inclusion on the June Brides Tribute album due for release at the end of this month.
from Indie-mp3
"Road To Happiness" cdep (Humblebee)
I thought this fine Brazilian pop band was long gone after their stellar ep and nearly-as-good lp on the Shelflife label
(plus one ep on Drive-In Records as well) . These songs were written in 2004 so who knows, maybe the band is
kaput but these 5 songs are good enough for the band to soldier on as they have not run out of ideas. “I Took the
Love you were Hiding“ takes the blueprint started back in the 80’s by Sarah Records while “I’m Glad I Know’ was a
bit more sophisticated, like something that would have been released on a Spanish label (namely Siesta or Elefant).
This also includes their first song in their native Portuguese (“Vou Deixar Pra Depois”). I hope there’s more where
this came from by Postal Blue.
from Dagger
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
As the title suggests, Postal Blue's International Breeze blows in softly on a wave of 1960's inspired indie-pop
that sparkles with delicate alto vocals and just a hint of bossa nova and melancholy psychedelia thrown in for
good measure. The album's first track 'Rainy Day' which layers plucky acoustic and delicate electric guitar with
unassuming piano, (that is gently reminiscent of both Burt Bacharach and Beanpole), provides a fitting introduction
to this album and band ~ both of which surprise the listener with melodies that are familiar enough to be
comforting, while also generating sufficient unexpected turns to remain interesting. Following 'Rainy Day' is the
slightly more psychedelic and synth-laden 'Being You' which sports a similar percussion line as well as airy
backing vocals provided by Laura Watling, which are just one of the album's lovely points of interest. Another
similarly sparkling detail is Adriano Ribeiro's guitar work, which blends perfectly into the background when
necessary, but manages to be both alluring and contemplative when spotlighted. Of all the tracks in the set,
'Love and Promises' stands out in large part due to the billowy nature of Ribeiro's evocatively androgynous vocals,
which on this track mingle exquisitely with the equally swollen synthesizer that helps to create the melancholy
mood of this undeniably pop confection. The only thing missing from this last track is the inclusion of Laura
Watling's shimmering back-up vocals, which may be noticeably absent as a result of how beautifully they are
wed with Ribeiro's voice on the final track's predecessor, 'Tell Me.' All in all, this is a sunny collection of indie-pop
tunes that are sweet enough to evoke a smile, but with enough melancholy underpinning to remain grounded,
genuine and gently surprising.
from Losing Today
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
These are dark and cold times. The sun sets earlier, the days are becoming shorter and frigid. People always seem
more serious in the winter. The looks on the faces of strangers, in the streets and on the trains, are harder, tighter.
Not to mention the political climate - our friends and neighbors and coworkers have become bitter, suspicious of
one another. Our tempers are short and we're all wound very tightly, seemingly ready to erupt at even the slightest
provocation.
Which makes this the perfect time to look for an escape. Given everything going on, I know I'm not alone in wanting
to go someplace where life moves at a slower pace, where one can languish in a comfortable lounge chair on a
beach, under an umbrella, sip on a cool mojito and not particularly care what time it is or what day it is.
International Breeze, by Brazilian pop group Postal Blue, captures this essence perfectly.
This is the sound of leisure. These songs are beautiful, moving along at a pace that suggests that no one is in a
particular hurry to get anywhere - which is perfectly fine with everyone involved. People are perfectly content to just
hang out and enjoy the warm days and pleasant company. There is no stress here, no tension. The TV is off, the
phones are unplugged, there are no computers anywhere nearby. You can just listen, relax, smile and unburden
your soul.
Okay, so I need a vacation. So do many of us, I'd bet. Unfortunately, we probably lack the time and the money to
take a good one any time soon. So, in lieu of actual travel, you can kick your shoes off, pour yourself a sweet, stiff
rum drink, put International Breeze on the stereo and let yourself pretend you're somewhere as mellow and as
lovely as the sounds coming out of your speakers.
from Lost At Sea
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
El sonido de Postal Blue tiene todas las características del pop de origen nórdico: melodías dulces y melancólicas,
suaves y equilibradas. Todas, excepto su origen geográfico, porque este cuarteto no llega del norte sino de Brasil.
No hay en "International Breeze", primer largo de la banda después de dos epés, demasiadas trazas de samba o
bossa-nova que los delaten. El tempo de "Fine" o las guitarras española de "Being You" o "Weather Sensitive".
Pero no nos encontramos ante una propuesta que mezcle la propia tradición con influencias exteriores, como
hicieron en su día Os Mutantes. Y es una pena no aprovechar la riqueza de la música brasileña.
En un terreno similar al que pisan Le Future Pompiste, Postal Blue adornan los temas de "International Blue" con
sonidos electrónicos heredados de los Stereolab más pop y menos experimentales. Siguen el mismo camino que
Red Sleeping Beuty o Acid House Kings, dulce perfección en lo vocal y lo instrumental, aunque desprovista del
genio de los discos que te cambian la vida.
A pesar de esta cierta ausencia de carácter, la suavidad de "International Blue" lo hace toda una delicia para los
oídos acostumbrados al pop de la escuela Siesta. Porque a veces es suficiente que un disco se deje escuchar y
acaricie el oído, sin convertirse en todo un hito en la experiencia de uno. "International Breeze" es uno de estos
discos: inocuo pero delicioso.
from Popchild
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
The finest brazilian pop music. I found them few years ago. It might have been because of
Samuli's (ultrasport) recommendations. I'm not 100% sure of it. But anyway, I really loved their
Weather Sensitive -ep back then and I think I even mailed to Adriano and said him how great it
was. I rarely do that because my shyness does affect even my online behaviour. So you can see
how excited I was about them at the time.
It took them a lot of time to get this debut album out. I'm not sure what were the reasons behind
it and it's not important anyway. The important thing is that the album is now here and it's a really
good one. A fine collection of dreamy and soft pop music that sound delicate, sweet and comforting.
Adriano has the sweetest voice you can think of. I can't picture him singing any other kind of music,
but the voice does fit nicely to this heartfelt indie pop. The song material is really good although
there are no songs that are Song Of The Year caliber. A fine album of Sarah-inspired pop music
nevertheless. Too bad the summer is gone already. This would have been a good summer soundtrack.
Well it does bring a warm summery breeze to these dark autumn days here in Finland so why to worry.
from One Chord
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
Se imprevisti attimi di tedio vi assalgono durante l'ascolto di "International breeze", più recente uscita
Shelflife, non pensate ad un errore. Il fatto è che il compito dei brasiliani Postal Blue è particolarmente
improbo: coniugare la facilità dell'indiepop alla elegante levigatezza della musica brasileira, salvo
scoprire che non sempre due più due fa quattro.
Per il loro scopo i Postal Blue scelgono vie impervie, che avvolgono morbide forme melodiche in echi
jazzati e guardano più al pop classico che ai due perfetti minuti e mezzo dell'indiepop. Scelte difficili
che si scontrano con brani eccessivamente elaborati per l'audience media, e le cui prelibatezze
d'arrangiamento - risultato di una gestazione molto lunga - sono sì preziose, ma nascoste al punto da
eludere l'orecchio ("Stand and Stare"). E ad aggiungere ulteriore particolarità al lavoro ecco una voce
(Adriano Ribeiro) le cui personalissime modulazioni potranno risultarvi convincenti e ipnotiche oppure
cordialmente insopportabili, a seconda della vostra inclinazione (sentite "Weather Sensitive" per avere
l'idea di come la voce penetri a fondo e senza vie di fuga nel tessuto dei pezzi). E dunque siete avvertiti:
con i Postal Blue prendete un rischio bello grosso, nonostante il marchio Shelflife sia la solita garanzia
di qualità. Amore o rigetto. Per quel che ci riguarda non siamo troppo entusiasti. L'impressione, ricavata
dalla bellezza accennata di "Three Words" e "Tell me" (la Sarah Records secondo i PB) è che questi
ragazzi dovrebbero abbandonarsi ad una maggior spontaneità, dalla quale tuttavia sono inevitabilmente
portati a staccarsi causa ambizioni maggiori.
Un disco per chi ama Aluminium Group e/o il pop più adulterato, e certamente uno dei gruppi più particolari
di casa Shelflife. Maneggiateli con cura.
from Indiepop.it
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
To me Postal Blue are a sound more than anything else. By that I don't mean that they lack songwriting abilities.
Rather, this Brazilian duo's songs are filled with pretty melodies that do stand out from the crowd. Yet I can rarely
remember any of the specific songs on their debut album International Breeze; instead what I remember is a
feeling. The album feels like a tropical breeze and like a melancholy, rainy day at the same time...and feeling is
what I get from Postal Blue, what I picture when I think about their music after the fact. The 11 songs on
International Breeze bounce along in a light pop way, while singer Adriano Ribeiro sings in a sensitive, serious,
often sad way that sometimes reminds me of a less-dramatic, kinder Smiths. The melodies float along,
occasionally piercing into my brain, yet I feel like they won't really plant themselves in my brain until I've listened
a dozen more times. In that way Postal Blue are the epitome of low-key. There's nothing about them that lunges
at you, you have to come to them...and lean in closely to really hear what they're saying and playing. But the
overall impression of their sound, its overall loveliness combined with a genuinely sad mood, remains strongly
with you after the album's 40 minutes are over.
from Erasing Clouds
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
If ever there was a perfect name for an album, International Breeze is it. Postal Blue is a Brazilian indie-pop band,
and the crisp, sweet harmonies are no doubt breezy. Perfectly fitting the Shelflife catalogue of sweet, rainy-day
pop songs, the production here is absolutely beautiful, the instrumentation so pretty, the themes clearly along the
lines of rainy days, new love, and taking walks along the lakeside.
Singer Adriano Ribeiro's voice is gorgeous, and yet you'd be hard pressed to identify this as a male vocalist. Only
after knowing his gender did I start to hear the difference, but it's inconsequential. It's pretty and deep enough,
lush and mixed in quite beautifully with acoustic and electric guitars, light and airy percussion, and dabbles of
bass and keyboards. With a hint of 60s bossa nova and sugar-sweet harmonies with guest Laura Watling here
and there, the result is 11 tracks of pop bliss.
The nice mix of acoustic guitars and upbeat percussion kicks off the sweet "Rainy Days," where Watling's soft,
almost angelic backing vocals add the perfect touch. The guitars shine with a hint of psychedelic flare on "Being
You," and "Fine" brings in the soft rhythms and guitar sway of the bossa nova style. "Weather Sensitive" is
much more keyboard-based, with vocals about walking through the park along the lake, nice and sweet. The
bounciest tracks here are "Three Words," a cute little love song, and "Kisses and Smiles," which features a
nice, upbeat rhythm. There's even a bit of a folky feel with some nice vocal harmonies on "Tell Me." The only
song I don't care for is "Going Back to Be," with its handclaps and repeated "la-la-la-la-la" a tad overdone.
International Breeze won't really leave a strong impression on you when it's gone, much like a soft breeze. It's
light-hearted and lush and pretty, and it's perfect for those moments: you know, the ones where you're holding a
girl's hand or glimpsing her face in profile or sharing a first kiss. Those are the moments this Brazilian band bring
to mind with its sweet pop style, and it's hard not to love.
from Delusions Of Adequacy
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
melancholy (n): the condition of being in love with your own sadness.
There is something beautiful and, indeed, mood-lifting about melancholy. There is a certain type of sadness that
is healing, a sense of mild sorrow that only serves to heighten one's sense of being alive. Brazil's Postal Blue
explores this almost paradoxical emotion with the opening lines of the band's first full-length album International
Breeze, when lead singer Adriano Ribeiro croons "when it rains you go outside." "Rainy Day" is about a nameless
"you" who not only enjoys miserable weather but is saddened by beauty, namely, the smell of flowers. Not only is
"Rainy Day" as close to a perfect pop song as I have heard all year, it also neatly describes and embodies the odd
but very real pleasures of melancholy, the emotion that drives the entire album.
"Rainy Day" was also the standout song on the Humblebee Records sampler Hey, Where'd the Summer Go?, but
I was unsure whether Postal Blue's debut on Shelflife would show a band of talent or reveal "Rainy Day" to be a
mere fluke. For better or worse, the catchy "Rainy Day" does turn out to be something of a fluke on this
languorous album. Only the previously released "Weather Sensitive" shares the pop smarts and toe-tapping
tempo of "Rainy Day". The rest of the album, by comparison, is much subtler, much more unassuming.
Postal Blue aims to create a general mood of aimless, beautiful depression by combining the dreamy gauze of
shoegazer music with the airy beauty of their home country's bossa nova. This results in an intoxicating
combination of genres that generally eschews the concise pop format. The individual tracks are less songs than
explorations of mood and tonal color, even Ribeiro's breathy, gender-ambiguous vocals (think Astrud Gilberto
meets Morrissey) act as just another layer in a tangled concoction of sound where it is even impossible to
separate what sounds are coming from acoustic guitars and what sounds are being made by electric ones.
Some would label International Breeze a "mood piece", perhaps suggesting that it would be suitable only for
background music for an immature outburst of brooding. This description would be unfair. The joy and beauty that
Postal Blue finds in its exploration of, well, "blue" moods elevates this album from what a Nick Hornby character
would deride as "sad bastard music". The ideal listener for Postal Blue's compositions is the same type of
person described in "Rainy Day": those who find a sense of joy in the depressing and a sense of depression in
the joyful. The ideal Postal Blue audience recognizes that music born out of melancholy soothes pain and
makes the happy moments seem even happier.
The sheer beauty of this album probably blinds me from its faults. The band's emphasis on mood over song
structure leads to songs that start nowhere and go nowhere, lacking any real sense of purpose or direction.
Again, "Rainy Day" and "Weather Sensitive" are the only tracks that reveal that Postal Blue has any real ability
to produce memorable, concise songs. The album, in its emphasis on rainy days and "Kisses and Smiles",
remains monochromatic in nature, stretching its sound only with a mere handful of halfhearted, cosmetic
flourishes such as the blasts of trumpet on "Three Words" or the Magical Mystery Tour sound collage that
ends the penultimate "Tell Me".
Still, it seems equally unfair to call conscious stylistic choices, "faults". The effortless melodies of "Rainy Day"
and "Weather Sensitive" prove that the band has the ability to shift their sound into a more concise direction, as
if to prove to the listener that the album's general lack of focus is deliberate. Postal Blue aims to resurrect
summertime idleness, an essentially directionless state of being. The band succeeds; International Breeze is a
perfect album of glorious mope rock that leaves the listener anything but depressed. The only truly depressing
aspect of this album is that it is pretty much guaranteed to be entirely ignored, even by cult audiences. Here's
hoping a handful of self-involved, overly-sensitive college freshmen stumble upon this soon-to-be-overlooked gem,
because otherwise I fear that it will quickly vanish.
from Pop Matters
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
After a couple of nice eps, this Brazilian group has finally released a full length! And it looks like they can finally
shake off their persistent comparisons to Belle & Sebastian, as the songs on this album sound very little like that
band's. Yes, they still have a gentle and breezy pop sound, but it's closer to that of early Blueboy (or Feverfew, if
you factor in Adriano's falsetto vocals) and the Fairways, with a fair amount of bossa nova rhythms and
Morrissey-ish vocal inflections thrown in, as well. It's not too different than their last ep, "Weather Sensitive", and
the title track from that even makes an appearance here. Adding to the "international" part of the title, Laura Watling
and Majestic's Jarond Gibbs help out on backing vocals and keyboards, respectively. This record is a very pleasant
listen, though I do have to say that a couple times, I find the songs sounding a little too similar to each other.
MTQ=10/11
from IndiePages
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
I'm always interested to note how much someone's real self comes out when they make music. I mean, some
people could be given a bell and a tuba and they would still make Hair Metal. Adriano Ribeiro, on the other hand,
can take the instruments typical to any rock band (two guitars, bass and drums) and make music to hug your mom
to. This is due in part to the fact that his voice sounds like a summer wind blowing softly over a set of vocal chords.
Adriano's band Postal Blue are from Brazil and their soft pop sound is finely honed on their Shelflife release,
International Breeze. Shelflife has a bunch of great artists and every release I have heard looks and sounds great.
This album is no exception. The cover is a bunch of jaunty hand drawn flowers blowing is said breeze. Beauty! I
am told that Postal Blue's sound is inspired by the artists on the deceased Sarah Records label but, to be perfectly
honest, I have no history with their catalogue, so I can't comment on the similarity. I may be the first reviewer ever
to openly attempt this. If that makes me sound indie-illiterate, so be it!
International Breeze is one of those albums that you put on when you want songs that are consistently one mood.
Not that it has to be the same mood every time. It could be wistful contemplation, contentedness, light heart-ache,
casual benevolence, or anything in between. On this record, soft-hearted pop sounds are married to wistful lyrics
about love, rain, and kissing. But, then, you could tell that by reading the track listing with titles like Rainy Day,
Kisses and Smiles, and Love and Promises. It's hard for me to place a band to compare it too, except maybe to
call it the only elevator music you'd ever stop and listen to and then say, Who was that!!!"
What really makes this band special is not one particular instrument, but how they work together. Each song has
a new and subtle flavor added such as a moog synthesizer, wurlitzer, flute, vocal harmony, or an interesting guitar
effect, which always sets the song apart, but maintains such a coherent sound that you might not even notice
these textural changes.
Being You (track 2) is a great song, with some nice surfy guitar in the background and a really cool key change
into the perfect chorus. The fifth song, Weather Sensitive, is one of the stand outs here with the catchiest keyboard
this side of "Video Killed the Radio Star." Pop/bossa is well represented by Fine, the fourth track. This is the most
blatant example of Postal Blue playing the music of their native Brazil but there is a subtle-cool brazilian jazz feel
in the guitars on several of the songs.
So here's the "if I had a complaint" paragraph. I know it's for effect, but sometimes Adriano's vocals are so hushed
that there is no way to catch them. That's fine, but I have the feeling I'm missing some fun lyrics, and as a
songwriter, I like to know what's being said. Also, the rhythms on Going Back to Be are a little disjointed. It sounds
like the drums are swinging and the Bass is playing a little funky. Anyway, this may sound nit-picky, but it does
kind of wreck that song for me. Oh well, I have the rest of the album!
The back of this album shows a picnic blanket spread out on an autumn day, and I can't help thinking that this
album invites you to sit on that blanket, close your eyes and let the fall leaves brush your face. I say, go ahead!
Enjoy.
from Shmat
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
Special delivery! All the way from Brazil comes this wonderful collection of dreamy, moody indiepop melodies, with a
tinge of that 1960s-inspired bossa nova pop that their country is so well-known for! The first thing that struck me about
Postal Blue was how strongly their lead singer's voice reminded me of Meriel from Pale Saints --- very low and soft,
sort-of cool and detached. You coulda knocked me over with a feather when I found out that vocalist/guitarist Adriano
Ribeiro was actually a guy! (And lemme guess, he's not related to this guy either...darn...) The disc opens with the
wistful pop tune "Rainy Day", featuring some very Verna Brock-ish piano in the background. On some songs, the
adorable synthesized bleeps and blips (courtesy of Majestic's Jarond Gibbs) call to mind Stereolab, especially on the
melancholy "Stand and Stare". And, towards the end of the CD is my most favorite track, "Tell Me", where the
harmonies of Adriano and guest backing vocalist, the lovely Laura Watling, are at their most exquisite on the whole
disc! Only "Going Back to Be" doesn't shine as brightly as the others, due to some shaky handclap work, I kid you
not. I know, I know...it sounds crazy, but whoever was providing the handclap percussion didn't seem to be that into
it, the results sounding more like someone at the back of the club, rather than someone actually in the band and part
of the recording process! But aside from some hesitant handwork, the song is as nice and poppy as anything else
you'll find here on their first full-length album that's been well-worth the wait for indiepop fans across the globe!
from Copacetic
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
To say this album was a long time in coming and much looked for in most quarters would be an understatement.
What's even more curious is that I have talked to head Postie Adriano Ribeiro and apparently most of the material
has been around for some time, but there were delays at almost every step. In fact he said the band and their sound
has really moved on since and that this album isn't really indicative of them now or what we'll hear on the next EP.
Another problem arose from Adriano taking on the job of producing it which also slowed up the effort a little and
added, or perhaps took away from what I was expecting on it. I was a bit thrown on my first listen, this album not
being what I expected so much so that I had to go back and listen to the other two EP's to see if this was indeed the
destination of natural progression. After doing that the material here did not appear as out of context as I had perhaps
first thought. The context being perhaps, not slow, but rather possessing the same degree of "momentum" thru out
with a general uniformity of sound. Adriano attributes that to his production, and I agree. The album does have a
sound similar to many early Siesta label bands, and over all the songs are genuinely good. Perhaps I should say
individually good, as taken in a whole I still get a little jet lagged by the end from the over all "vibe" not changing a
whole lot. There are a number of really nice tunes here, but nothing I'm dying over or on the order of Summer Is What
You Call It from the first ep or What You Were Meant To Be from the second. In an ironic twist Adriano told me he
thinks the songs on this are better than those EP songs, even while at the same time admitting his production
perhaps "hid" some elements. I told him that may well indeed be true, but I told him something hidden can't be seen
or heard, so in effect it isn't there, is it? Maybe HE knows what it's supposed to sound like, but the fact remains we
don't. It's like telling me the paint on your house looks better than mine and to prove it you call me over at 2 am on a
moonless night. Right or wrong I expected more from this band, not that this isn't good, as it is. But I wanted a
serving of greatness and this was not it. It will suffice for now, and I do recommend it but I believe this young man
has bigger things in him. Given time we are all yet to see and hear them, but till then this is a fair enough slice of
pop delights, if not heaven.
from IndieSpinZone
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
Postal Blue är något så exotiskt som ett mjukispopband (twee om man så vill) från Brasilien. Bortsett från ett par
bossanova-poppiga gitarrer hör man dock inga influenser från den brasilianska kulturen, men det kanske bara var
löjligt av mig att ens tro det. I inledande "Rainy day" kan jag inte tänka på något annat än Belle & Sebastian. Dels
för att låten lika gärna skulle kunna vara skriven av dessa lallande skottar men också, inte minst, för att sångaren
Adriano Ribeiro låter nästan exakt som Stuart Murdoch. Efter inledningen verkar han dock lyckas bättre med att
ge sången en personlig prägel. Postal Blue är väldigt gulliga. Det kan man inte bortse från. Troligen för gulliga för
en större publik men bland folk som gillar The Fairways, Blueboy, The orchids och liknande kan det nog bli en ny
personlig favorit. "Being you" och "Weather sensitive" är exempel på vilken förmåga att snickra ihop mjuka melodier
och vackra harmonier dessa brasilianare besitter.
from MusikLandet
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
Er wonen ruim 174 miljoen mensen in Brazilië, dus zelfs als daarvan maar vijf procent tot de westers georiënteerde
upperclass behoort, dan zou dat toch tot best een paar leuke indiepop-bandjes mogen leiden. En laten er nu toevallig
een aantal Brazilianen hartstikke dol zijn op Britse leest geschoeide indiepop, zoals die vroeger gemaakt werd op (vooral)
een label als Sarah en nu op labels als Matinée en Shelflife. Melancholisch, somber maar uiteindelijk toch vooral heel
erg pop. Die Brazilianen noemen zich dan bijvoorbeeld Pale Sunday of Postal Blue en na twee ep's debuteren die
laatsten nu met International Breeze. En daar is eigenlijk niet heel veel mis mee. Een plezierige rustige cd, die het
goed doet op, bijvoorbeeld, een zwoele zomeravond, omdat je er zo lekker op weg kunt dromen. Maar niet heel veel
mis is iets anders dan niets mis. Want uiteindelijk breekt het Postal Blue wel een beetje op dat deze cd wat matjes
klinkt en dat er geen momenten op staan die heel sterk je aandacht grijpen. Dat het gewoon een beetje te veel rond
het gemiddelde blijft hangen. Dat lijkt me dan mooi iets om op een tweede album te verbeteren.
from Think Small
"International Breeze" cd (Shelflife)
I know it should be no surprise that cultures should be diverse, but I've always found it surprising that the Brazilians
have quite a community of fey-indie-pop lovers. Here is an example of the indigenous kind, but it has no particular
geography within its sound, although a Spanish-like guitar sound creeps in on "Being You" along with electronica nut
traces. A simple, honest collection of sunny foppishness.
from Vanity Project
"Weather Sensitive" cd-ep (Shelflife)
Two years or so ago, Brazilian band Postal Blue had an EP out on Drive-in that I enthused about. It was very Sarah-like, jangly
pop - one song in particular was especially reminiscent of Brighter and Another Sunny Day. Now they have a follow-up EP out on
Shelflife, the Weather Sensitive EP with 5 tracks. They've toned down the Sarah influences for this EP and the Brighter-ish
sound is nonexistent here. The title track has a synthesised trumpet and a vaguely bossa-ish guitar melody of the style a lot of
current indiepop bands seem to favour. A Secret also features this sort of guitar playing. Too Tired and What You Were Meant To
Be are superb janglepop songs that don't sound especially like any particular Sarah bands, but are definitely reminiscent of
indiepop of that era. Puzzle shows they are still listening to their Sarah records as an Another Sunny Day influence is evident,
particularly in the melody of the verse, which is reminiscent in part of Another Sunny Day's Rio. So yes, this is nostalgic music,
and no, it's not experimental, but if you're a fan of old-school indiepop, as I am, I'm sure it will bring a smile to your face.
from Aquamarine
"Weather Sensitive" cd-ep (Shelflife)
On their 5-song EP Weather Sensitive Brazilian-based group Postal Blue showcase a seamless, beautiful pop sound that
has the certain something it takes to warm your heart and make you feel. Their music is all bright motion and pretty,
sensitive-guy vocals, with a fresh sound based around a synth groove, a slightly jazzy bounce, melodic guitar, harmonies
and, occasionally, just the right embellishments, like horns or strings. "It's another sunny morning, I want your body next to
mine/it's so dry here that I'm dying/please don't let things get much worse," goes the lyric to the first track, part of the
album's general feeling, that of someone reaching out for affection and attachment, looking for connection. That sort of
connection is also what Postal Blue makes with listeners; they reach into our hearts.--dave heaton
from Erasing Clouds
"Weather Sensitive" cd-ep (Shelflife)
To the latent twee fan in many an indie-rocker, Brazilian-based popsters Postal Blue play adorable, harmless songs on
their five-song EP titled Weather Sensitive. San Francisco label ShelfLife Records have fed the international fetish-like,
indie-pop-music market that sucks up every Belle & Sebastian release quicker than you can say "Hello Kitty" with similar
sensitive, foreign, male vocals, vintage tones, and sugary sweet songs. The EP's title track starts off with upbeat Stereolab
appeal by way of a jingly guitar strum, a bumpy keyboard rhythm, and a fittingly simple, rapid high-hat and snare drum
beat with the occasional cymbal ride chorus. Add the slightly feminine voice of Adriano Ribiero (sic) singing about
"...another sunny morning" and "...a walk in the park" (sic) with a slightly, psychedelic guitar song bridge, and you got
yourself a fluffer-nutella sandwich with juice and cookies type of song. The songs that follow include "Too Tired," "Puzzle,"
and "What You Were Meant To Be," and all will tickle the listening taste in a similar manner despite an occasional variation
with added piano or violin. It is the last song, "A Secret," that slows down just enough to not fall neatly in line behind the
four that precede it. Adriano's notes have time to float just a bit higher and a tad longer and despite the male origin they
sound strikingly familiar to that of Stereolab girl Lætitia Sader's trademark European appeal (cool!). With a full-length
schedule for release from ShelfLife in the near future, this is a very kind EP that implores a listen from the many fans of
international indie soft rock (this is great!! hehehe) and hints at one Brazilian band's definite songwriting capabilities
from Delusions Of Adequacy
"Weather Sensitive" cd-ep (Shelflife)
Brazil's Postal Blue has the similar organ-based pop sound of many bands on the Shelflife Records roster. With that said,
they've begun to make a name for themselves, tossing aside the easy comparisons to Brit-pop bands like Belle and
Sebastian. The title track instantly impresses, with a mix of horns, organ, and Adriano Ribeiro's lead vocals. This is their
debut on Shelflife but not their debut to an American audience, having previously released a self-titled CD on Michigan's
Drive-in Records. The pairing of label and band makes perfect sense in this case. The five-song disc shines with an
over-the-top optimism, displaying their solid pop sensibilities and simple chords. The songs were recorded at Brazil's
Estudio Gaiola and mastered by Shelflife's Jon Chaikin. The fourth track, "What You Were Meant to Be," shines as an
opus to an unknown person, complete with handclaps, violin, and unique percussion. The disc closes with the laid-back "A
Secret," a song that beautifully highlights Ribeiro's vocals with a sublimely executed instrumental backdrop. Postal Blue
added synthesizers on this record, adding to their arsenal. The five songs should add to their appeal as well.
from AllMusic
"Weather Sensitive" cd-ep (Shelflife)
I like the cover of this, just the overall feel reminds me of early Rough Trade singles. The title here though reminds me of
something the Lucksmiths would have used. This is the second EP from this South American band and while listening
to it I noticed it sounded a bit unlike the first EP, sounding somewhat more Siesta label like, however the thing I could
not peg came home to roost on track four What You Were Meant to Be. Now, the first three songs are all most
excellent, about as good as indie gets which I'll take ANY day. But this track, whooooaa! Lead singer Adriano Ribeiro
sounds EXACTLY like Stuart Murdoch from Belle & Sebastian. I don't mean close, I mean exactly, like it isn't even
funny exactly, and so does the song. Were you to play this for a Belle fan who never heard of Postal Blue they'd
believe it was them, no questions asked and I mean it. Of course that's a good thing I guess but the exactness is
really odd. Still, the song is great. It takes a lot for me to push an EP but this one is quite brilliant and definetly worth
getting. I wish an LP would come out already, as I can hardly wait if it's going to be more of this.
from Spinzone
"Weather Sensitive" cd-ep (Shelflife)
Postal Blue present us with more great pop tunes, this time a wee more upbeat. I really can't wait until they record an
album. Their songwriting is so very wonderful. -Corey Bowl
from Isollae
"Weather Sensitive" cd-ep (Shelflife)
Postal Blue are from Brazil, though they don't sound particularly Brazilian; their smooth, loungey variety of indie-pop could
just as easily have been spawned in Milwaukee or Madrid. While I sincerely enjoy this sort of music, my expectations for
it are rarely high -- there's always an element that's not quite right, whether it's off-key vocals, half-hearted playing or
uninspired songwriting.
I'm pleased to report that Postal Blue avoids all of these pitfalls. Vocalist/guitarist Adriano Ribeiro is a skilled, if not
particularly powerful crooner, and can clearly play and sing at the same time without compromising either portion of his
performance. Bandmates André and Ismael easily sustain this standard, and the music, while exactly the sort of summery
fare you'd expect from a jangly indie-pop record with palm trees on its cover, offers a few modest surprises. "Weather
Sensitive"'s mostly predictable chord progression takes a few unexpected turns, and there's a neat little tertiary rhythm
thing provided by a sparingly-used keyboard. "Puzzle", meanwhile, makes extremely sparing use of strings and (sampled?)
flute, in a song in which a less confident band would've spooned them on far more thickly.
I won't pretend that Postal Blue have a unique sound, but I'll commend them for their tasteful restraint. It's a rare gift these
days, and helps to make Weather Sensitive a pleasant, if not overly memorable listen. -- George Zahora
from Splendid E-zine
"Weather Sensitive" cd-ep (Shelflife)
I've just gotta say these guys have gotten really good. I like this record a lot more than the first ep. The
sound is more crisp, the songs are all a little more upbeat (they seem to have strayed from their previous dreamy
style here) - everything is just more lively and interesting. They've also started to use more synthesizers, too,
which seems to add a little bit to the sound. The vocals are nice and soft, even going a little falsetto at times;
they always balked at their constant comparisons to Belle & Sebastian in reviews, but I've got to admit - the
vocals are very similar, especially on "Too Tired" and the verse of "What You Were Meant To Be". After
this batch of songs, I think a full-length is a bit overdue...
from IndiePages
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
Summer dreaming and winter sleeping. Laying on your back. Past loves and present desires. The Postal Blue
EP may be the first recording of Postal Blue, a dreampop indie band that hails from Brazil, but the lush sound of
this debut reveals a certain depth and maturity. The themes of dreams and sleep recurr in this 4 song offering,
and blend effortlessly with the twee sounds of the gentle strings. We are washed ashore and lulled to a sweet
slumber- this is hardly Belle and Sebastian (despite the frequent comparisons), but it reminds us more of the
shining dreampop of Even as We Speak, and even the Field Mice. A debut wrapped in beauty and tender loving
care, this ep is the perfect companion for every lazy summer afternoon. --morgan hoax 2003
from Stellar Reviews
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
Imagine the thrill of spending a lifetime, well at least a youthful lifetime dreaming and swooning all the while caressing each
and every new Sarah records release, your favourite record label, those dreams constructed while reading fantastical writings
of a pop svengali thousands of miles away are of pop star fantasies and music making merriment and wondrous imaginings
turn reality, well, and then one day you find yourself armed with a six string and a clutch of songs and a desire within yourself
to make something as warm, delicate, emotional and beautiful as those you have placed on a pedestal. Such must be the
story of Postal Blue. This is an unabashed tribute to Sarah records and more obliquely to the music scene/belief that it and
a myriad of other labels (see Bus Stop/Waaaah!!!/etc...) were a celebration of. The four songs here vary from acoustic, winsome
strum-alongs to vaguely shoegazer anthems of natural selection, each is nestled inside an enticing pop universe effortlessly
created in a far off place, viva Brazil! They are champions of the faithful, woo hey! I can only hope they are willing to share
more of their passions with us in the future, very selfishly, let us all plead for more. --Keith Mclachlan
from Twee Kitten
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
Long-awaited debut from Brazilian jangle-pop combo Postal Blue, who have appeared on a couple of select pop
compilations, and who have been compared to Blueboy, Brighter, Slowdive, Belle & Sebastian, and Trembling Blue Stars.
These 4 songs are textbook Sarah Records style output circa 1992 - lofty, jangly pop with great male vocals. Classic.
from Parasol
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
Rickenbacher-chimming guitars and softly sung melodies... gotta love it. Kinda like The Smiths with Starflyer 59 vocals.
Very sensual, very melodic, very scene-setting... I can kind of see a European vista terrace in the sunset in the midst
of all that warmth. You can almost hear the songs flow out of musicians leaning on the pillars, sipping wine and humming
tunes. Definitely a nice surprise.
from Lollypop
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
This outfit from South America has gotten a bit of praise and I've heard them referred to as being like the "Smiths". I
don't know what people are thinking when they throw that comparison out so casually, as frankly I have yet to hear
any other band which I thought sounded like the Smiths. New Order, The Cure, the Bunnymen etc yes, but the
Smiths no. This is a very indie pop guitar oriented affair, with some truly great songs on it and it excells in it's own
right without borrowing from the Smiths or any other band in particular inasmuch as any good indie guitar band
sounds similar. All four songs here are quite good, and in fact Summer is What You Call it and Maybe I'm Dreaming
are quite above average and are most excellent. I had originally only given this an 8.8, (mostly due to length) but I can
be forgiven as it's one of the many, MANY things I reviewed in my rush to construct this site nearly 4 years ago and
being a miser I don't often shell out for EP's. Well, that was a rotten call. This is essential, and I have since graded it
as such.
from Indie Spin Zone
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
What does it all mean?
I'm sitting here with this "new" (though I believe it was released last year; no press kit info came along with the disc)
self-titled EP by Brazilian band Postal Blue and trying to make sense of it all. There are only four tracks here that
clock in at just over 18 minutes. The band's website is rather enigmatic as well. All I can tell you is that "Adriano" sings
and plays guitar, "Alessandro" plays guitar, "Andre" plays drums and percussion, and "Ismael" plays bass. No last
names given. The website features pictures of the band, but alas they are baby photos.
The subject of dreams seems to
play a fairly important role here, as two of the songs feature them in the titles ("Maybe I'm Dreaming" and "I Know Where
Your Dreams Go"). The other two songs may as well be "dreamy" themselves as they are entitled "Asleep" and "Summer
Is What You Call It". So is Postal Blue's sound dreamy as well, or does it put you into a nice state of sleepiness? Well,
yes. I think, at least. Some have drawn comparisons between this group and Belle and Sebastian, but I cannot stand
them and I seem to really love Postal Blue's songs. So forget that comparison when it comes to my input.
To me, Postal Blue seems to be hitting a melodic shoegaze type sound minus the more abstract qualities that that genre
can sometimes embrace. I think of classic groups such as Os Mutantes when I hear Postal Blue, but not even that best
describes the band's sound, as they aren't comical or strange. They're just . . . there. But perfectly there. Maybe a bit
like a Brazilian R.E.M. if Stipe and Co. were still recording albums like Murmur. I can't make out many of Adriano's words
as he mumbles them against the pretty guitars, but I know that he's saying something. Ah so maybe Postal Blue is a bit
like My Bloody Valentine. No, not at all. Perhaps Lush, then. No. These guys definitely have their own sound, whatever that
may actually be. It's trance-like, it's mellow, it washes over you like a gentle rain, but it's never boring, nor is it pretentious.
As I said, it just is. And while that might be rather difficult to ascertain in a written review such as this, all I can tell you to
do is go out and hear it for yourself. There are songs to hear on the group's website, and the EP is available to order from
Drive-In Records, or from the band themselves. I honestly wish I could say something more about this group, but it just
honestly escapes me for once. What I do know is that Postal Blue has a highly intoxicating sound that makes you want
more than a mere four songs. Here's hoping they release some more sometime soon. (Jason Thompson)
from PopMatters
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
Listening to this EP I'm thinking of ways music recalls certain imagery and memories. I am reminded of a day in
California. The waves against the shore. A certain breeze. The whirl of dreams. We ran and swam. There was laughter
and forever was just around the corner. Then the day neared its end, as at heart we knew it would. Heading to the
house and happiness in knowing the new Sugargliders single would arrive within days. This record is like the dying
embers of memory. Joy in the remembering. Sadness in its passing. (Corey Bowl)
from Isollae
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
Let's look to the future now at the fabulous debut by Postal Blue, a Brasília-based foursome which, after a few
compilations spots on America and Europe now release their first effort under Drive-In Records, one of the most
respected labels in the indiepop scene. That Michigan-based label is no stranger to revealing to the world blossoming
pop from Brazil, since they have already released a 7" by Brincando de Deus, and now by way of the band led by
Adriano Ribeiro Drive-In hit us with another stunning blow. These boys have arguably grown up on a steady diet of Sarah
records, and this single is an irrefutable proof thereof. Postal Blue's single brings us four songs recorded during Brazilian
winter that remind me of our beloved Brighter, and judging by their strong melodies, songwriting skills and expressivity,
are gems of lovable caracter in which a romantic nature rises against all earthly adversities, as it seems implicit on a
title such as 'Summer Is What You Call It'. (Paolo Bertoni)
from Blow Up Magazine
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
I heard this band on a comp tape years ago with a song that made me think of Brighter and Another Sunny Day, and I
was eager to hear more. They finally get to release this 4 song EP which, except for I Know Where Your Dreams Go,
isn't so Brighteresque, but still sounds influenced by assorted early Sarah bands. Top quality janglepop - I'm
impressed!
from Aquamarine
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
This is Postal Blue's debut single released by the Drive-In label (they're also on the 'Just For a Day' comp), and the
band has already become the main band in Brazil's indiepop scene. The record's production reminds me of Aden and
Robert Cooper, displaying a nice brand of mellow-acoustic pop! These are four tracks of outstanding musical quality,
truly a work of art! Essential for all fans of neo-acoustic. Highly recommended.
from Arch Records
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
Gentle indiepop from Brazil in the vein of Trembling Blue Stars, Brighter, and Belle & Sebastian (with other hints
of the Pale Fountains & the Pale Saints). This band has been around quite a while (I heard these songs in their
original form a couple years ago on a demo tape, not to mention the fact that two of them have appeared on
comps), and it's good to finally see a proper release from them. For the most part, the songs are slower, with a
little bit of a dreamy feel to them with delayed guitars & fade-in cymbal crashes. Of course, the song titles such
as "Maybe I'm Dreaming" & "I Know Where Your Dreams Go" kind of reinforce that feeling. They're working on
an album for Shelflife now, and it'll be great to hear a whole new batch of songs from them!
from IndiePages
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
These Brazilian pop purists take equal parts Belle and Sebastian and Luna to come up with their own glistening sound.
Four songs that are formally pleasing to the ear.
from Spank Fanzine
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
Do you like Trembling Blue Stars? If your answer is yes, you are definitely going to like Postal
Blue. Why? They sound exactly like Trembling Blue Stars. Listening to this four song CD, you
will be repeatedly shocked and confused, and you'll think to yourself, "Ah, my Trembling Blue
Stars CD is sounding mighty good." Then you'll do a double take as you remember your error.
This happens with each song. The four songs all sound about the same. They make that same
pastoral, dreamy impression as the other band I've mentioned a couple of times. Nothing really
distunguishes one song from the next, but all of them are fragile and pretty. Chances are, if
you're into dream-pop, twee and the like, you are going to appreciate Postal Blue. Consider
them Trembling Blue Stars' Brazilian doppelgangers, (yes, they're from Brazil, though they sing
in English), and prepare to bliss out. Hopefully this band will stick around and alter their formula
a tiny bit. Even if they continue along a path of mimicry, they'll still be making pleasant,
above-average shoegazer-lite music that's worthy of an audience. -- tnd
from Splendid E-zine
s/t cd-ep (Drive-In)
This EP is short and sweet, literally. With songs like "Maybe I'm dreaming" and "I know where your dreams go," it's
hard not to feel like it's sugar-coated. Brazil's Postal Blue don't try to break any new ground with their four bright yet
melancholy songs. According to the band, this debut is not a first; "as strange as it may seem - we have always been
around." It's true, this sound has been around for a long time in independent music; with recent bands like Belle and
Sebastian, who in turn have taken threads from Nick Drake. Not that Postal Blue sound exactly like these other bands,
rather they continue with a tide that others created and have solid enough melodies to hook the listener. They are on the
lower edge of this genre though, losing it mostly with the cheesy lyrics and song titles. Certainly with a little time and
experience this band could put out a really good LP, as long as it doesn't have the word "dream" in the title... (jc)
from Zum
promo cd-r
postal blue's 10-track promo-cdr opens brilliantly with the slow built and smart composed maybe i am dreaming (on
popgenerator, side A). although the rest of the record at once, as a whole may seem a bit anonymous (and it is hard
not to think of belle and sebastian), it really manages to capture our finest sympathy, and it always offer a chance for
another round images.
... and it reveals songs with a sensitivity, which seem built for cosy, evocative moments. sharp edges of any kind are
excluded from the easy-naive, though longing and melancholic moods that postal blue practise. and everyone who
claims that a fearful melancholic is a tragic being, is challenged with indisputable arguments of the opposite, with
postal blue. with originality and taste, the opening track, asleep fluctuate as the light from a timeless pop-pearl.
and their transparent sound and tasteful melodic simplicity is exemplified with summer is what you call it.
from Popgenerator
V/A - "Hey! Where'd The Summer Go?" cd (Humblebee)
Upstart Canadian indie label Humblebee Recordings has enlisted an international group of relatively unknown
indie-popsters to capture the undefined mood of summer for their first ever compilation. Some of the tracks,
particularly Evie's grinding "Day of Defeat", are way off, but, for the most part, this collection really does capture
the childhood experience of summer: pleasurably uneventful with brief bursts of both melancholy and pure joy.
With 24 tracks, most of them rather short, Hey! Where'd the Summer Go? is less of an album than a type of
musical buffet: there'll be something captivating and beautiful here for any lover of old school turn-of-the-century
indie pop, but it might not be what the next listener finds the most appealing. Personally, I would vote for the
Brazilian mope rockers Postal Blue's "Rainy Day" and Canadian power-poppers Paper Moon's rollicking "Volcano"
as the breakthrough tracks. Whatever one's personal favorites, this new compilation will feel like a typical summer
afternoon when there's nothing really exciting going on but the time is well-spent anyway.
from PopMatters
V/A - "Hey! Where'd The Summer Go?" cd (Humblebee)
Despite those thoughts you have when you flip on the radio or see the astounding number of albums the worst
bands sell, the world's never going to run out of good bands. Therefore, the world's never going to lose the need for
inexpensive indie-label compilations collecting great music that will unfortunately never enter the ears of your
average person on the street. Hey! Where'd the summer go?, the product of the relatively new, quite promising
Canadian label Humblebee Recordings, collects 24 tracks from 24 bands, over half of which only your most
indier-than-thou friends will claim to have heard of. It stands, therefore, as more proof that name recognition has
no relation to quality, as the CD is filled with great pop and rock songs, loaded with catchy melodies, sincere
emotion, and whatever else you crave from a pop or rock song. Despite the title, the compilation came out closer
to the beginning of the summer, I'm pretty sure, and was created around no particular theme as far as I know - six
of the songs were previously released somewhere else, though overall they do share both the brightness of summer
and that vaguely melancholy feeling you get when you realize how quickly time's passing by. The bands include a
few indie favorites (The National Splits, Sleepy Township, Paper Moon) and a couple bands I've learned about
recently but come to like a whole lot (The Diskettes, Postal Blue), but they're mostly new to me. A few highlights
(from an album with close to 20 of them) are The State of Samuel's "Why" (hyper-hummable yet full of longing),
Myredpocketbook's "The Ignore From the Girl Across the Seat" (a funky shuffle of an unrequited crush) and Under
Shooting Stars' "Clouds Upon Clouds" (shy electro-pop). It's a splendid collection and an international one,
showing that talented broken hearts exist all over the world.
from Erasing Clouds
V/A - "Hey! Where'd The Summer Go?" cd (Humblebee)
Hey, all of you summer bums. Rumor has it that I waited until August 31 to review the Humblebee Compilation
entitled quite appropriately Hey! Where'd The Summer Go. You know, for a good lead in... something like, "the
summer is over and why not close it out by listening to this fitting compilation." The truth is I'm lazy. Lazy like
lazy summer days. And now that the summer's over and I'm not as lazy... seque into long promised review. A
great way to kick out the jams for the back to school season, a final surge of indie music before the snow starts.
What am I talking about. It's 100 degrees today in Cali. Anyhow, Columbus kick off the comp with the bouncy
excellent "Turncoats". This is followed shortly by the poppy "Monument" by Sleepy Township and then the double
trouble mid-fi threat that is The Lil' Hospital and The State of Samuel who are always favorites over here at
Shmat. Those two in particular set the tone of the album early which is often boisterously uptempo, though there
are still some calm and quiet tracks within the 24 on the disc.
Next up is "Smoke and Mirrors" by the Film Stills (Kyle, the main dude at Humblebee, plays in this great band).
Postal Blue mellows out the mood a bit with the contemplative "Rainy Day". I liked the bossa drum machine and
vibes of The Christmas Sweaters in "July" (Christmas in July, hehe) and the Liberty Ship got me going with "If I
Knew The Answers". Next, three straight Swedish bands who rock in a popalicious manner: The Fermats,
myredpocketbook, and The Busy Band (which features Samuel Petersson from State of Samuel). Man, Sweden
puts out so much good indiepop stuff these days. The fingersnapping of The Diskettes snuggled up quite nicely
with Kyle Bjornson's other project, the intimate Broken Hearts Club. There's quite a selection of countries
represented on this compilation so it truly is an international showcase of pop; besides Sweden there's bands
from Australia, Canada, UK, Finland, Brazil, and the Phillipines. Under Shooting Stars is the representative from
the Phillipines and they play an interesting type of pop on "Clouds Upon Clouds" with ghostly vocals and a casio
type drum machine holding things together. I liked the Snow Fairies and Miss July a lot with their airy female
vocals that are cut from the same cloth. Then we get "Still Blue" from Adelie who like their Brazilian compatriots,
Postal Blue, use those major 7ths to good effect. Volcano reminds me a lot of Sissybar at times, though less
goofy. And Evie rounds out the end of summer with a bang and not a whimper in the raucous and distorted "Day
of Defeat". Fight fight fight indeed! But for most of the album it is instead smooth pop rock sailing. And that,
ladies and gentlemen, is where this summer has gone.
from Shmat
V/A - "Hey! Where'd The Summer Go?" cd (Humblebee)
Does the thought of a 24-song compilation scare you if you can't recognize any of the band names? Come on
now, be honest. I know that my searches through the compilation section in any CD store are pretty much
dictated by name recognition of some sort, so it took me awhile to delve into Hey! Where'd the summer go?, a
new release from Humblebee Recordings. The compilation showcases bands from four different continents, but
quite a few artists are from Canada; and almost everyone seems capable of delivering some short and sweet pop
songs. Luckily, it was more than worth it to spend some time trying out this CD, and the nice thing about
digging a pop rock compilation full of brand new artists is that everything is fresh yet familiar at the same time.
So, imagine a nice jangling guitar sound, some summery harmonies, and lyrics that aren't really bubblegum, but
are certainly of the non-confrontational variety. Sound familiar? Of course it does, but you'd be surprised how
nice a little pop music can be when the bands are new. Take a band from the Phillipines like Under Shooting
Stars for example. Their song "Clouds upon Clouds" sounds as delicate as a music box, but the vocals help
make it just sweet enough to win you over. Definitely a keeper. For something a bit more rock, try The Film
Stills' song, "Smoke and Mirrors." The singer reminds me of Stuart Murdoch, but just a bit. The overall feeling
of the song is still fresh to my ears. The Postal Blue pulls off a song here called "Rainy Day," which sounds like
a perky Cowboy Junkies song; if the Cowboy Junkies have ever written anything perky that is. "Rainy Day" is as
close as any song on this compilation comes to being longer than four minutes, but it cuts off just in time at 3:58.
Another little song I like is The Liberty Ship's "If I Knew the Answers." It reminds me of a number of songs, but it
moves around quickly enough for subsequent hooks to distract me from nailing the band down with a direct
comparison. Well, the only band I sort of recognize here is The Snow Fairies who I've heard on another
compilation, and I can say that once again they turn out another two minute pop pleaser with "Some People."
Speaking of fairies, "Green Fairy" by Miss July is another of my favorites: "I'll break your wings if you promise to
break my spirit, then you can't fly and I can't sing." I'm not too sure why Miss July is so inclined to mutilate
magical creatures, but rest assured that the music here would never let you imagine that the green fairy isn't
pleased as punch to cooperate in this song.
Things do get a bit more confrontational music-wise with the final song by Evie called "Day of Defeat." I guess
the rare presence of an amped-up electric guitar is there to remind us that all sweet summer stories come to an
end eventually. So many of these songs are great, and the variable artists on the compilation make it fun to
listen to the album straight through. Oh yeah, and The Diskettes song has finger-snap percussion. What else
could you want really?
from Left Off The Dial
V/A - "Picnic Basket" cd (Shelflife)
Summer is coming along and you're looking for something breezy and carefree to put on. This international twee-pop
compliation could suit you just fine. Shelflife have gathered bands from all around the world to create a soundtrack for
sunny days with the occasional rain shower.
The Pearly Gatecrasher's "Summer's Here" is good for when the sun's just come out and you are about to leave for a
day on the beach. Postal Blue's "Fotoromanza" is for when that rain shower comes and you're feeling a little sad, yet
not depressed.
These songs don't cut deep but they don't need to. It's not their thing to do. There are other bands for those moments
when you need emotional support. This is surface music that doesn't demand that much participation on your behalf.
These bands may be from all over the world but they speak the same musical language. This is music for falling in love
and flirting, and that can be a beautiful thing.
from Opus
V/A - "Picnic Basket" cd (Shelflife)
This comp cd should be the summer indiepop comp! This is a collection of international pop tunes from
the last few years (with a couple songs from longer ago), and almost all of them are fun bouncy songs. The
appropriately titled comp would be a perfect company during your next foray to the park with friends. Highlights
(and there are many) come from Chain Letter, Pinkie, La Pequeña Suiza, Pearly Gatecrashers, Postal Blue,
One Night Suzan, the Skywriters, and Starblind. A few of these songs have been released before (Impossible
Tymes, Southville, Maybellines), though all but the Melody Unit song are from out of print records. And what
beautiful artwork, too!
from IndiePages
V/A - "Picnic Basket" cd (Shelflife)
"...Even more engaging are the songs that break out from that standard musical mold. The Brazilian Postal Blue's
"Fotoromanza" swings with a wistful loungy gait, and the vocals are uncharacteristically deep and soulful..."
from Delusions of Adequacy
V/A - "SNIEGOWE RYTMY" (Arnold Records, 2000)
Remarkable compilation from the unknown Polish label gathering 17 songs by little-known bands such as those
under British label Rotator (Mystics, Sweeney and Harvey's Rabbit), Japanese label Smile (Aikagi, Mary's 9Cut,
5:40 & Furniture For Music and Milk), or bands like Norway's Twigs, Brazil's Postal Blue, America's Jumprope and
Polish bands too, like Marek Jalowiecki; followed by the better known Elefant Records cast (Nothing, Loons, Cecilia
Ann, Beef, Le Mans and Gypsophile), and all of them have a taste for pop melodies.
Favorite tracks:
1- Maybe I'm Dreaming (Postal Blue)
2- Shut Up (Sweeney)
3- Happy Town (Harvey's Rabbit)
V/A - "Will There Be Time For Tea?" cd (Morgan Leah)
Many years in the making, but it's finally done! A few of the songs from this have found release elsewhere (like
tunes from the Lucksmiths, Postal Blue, the Parcels, & Boy Crazy), but there are many more that are exclusive
to this cd, like from Laura Watling, Tara Emelye (of the Mad Planets), the Dupont Circles, & Denver. A few new
bands I've learned of through this include the Piltdowns (fun garagey pop), Bergen Twigs (catchy indie-rock), &
the Melody Unit (a local band, dead-ringer for MBV). And I'd be remiss if I failed to mention that this is the debut
appearance of the Condiments, a band I'm in. And, unlike too many comps I've been seeing recently, there's a
great booklet accompanying this with plenty of info about each of the bands.
from IndiePages
V/A - "Just For A Day" cd (Just For A Day)
Great comp release for this brand new label run by Melanie Popgeek featuring some of today's (and a few of
yesterday's) top indiepop bands. About half of these songs are previously released, like Gentle Tuesday,
Den Baron, Leslies, and Brideshead (from their album, no surprise). But there are a lot of excellent
unreleased songs, as well, including Bella Vista, Postal Blue, In A Day, and TWO from They Go Boom!!
(including a cover of Felt's "Ballad Of The Band"). The spirit and sound of this reminds me of the many
comp tapes from the late 80s and early 90s. And since the main purpose of comps is to be introduced to
new bands, I'm glad I got to hear Roddy Kilowatt (Tullycraft-style pop) and Postal Blue (East Village-style
jangle).
from IndiePages