This demo seems to exclude some of the punk rawness they displayed on MINNESOTA HOTEL, their debut album. It also seems to drop some of the lighter power-pop melodies you'll come across a lot on MINNESOTA HOTEL. Rather than jump between power-pop melodies that concentrate on the pop side of things and power-pop tunes that had a punk touch in them, these three songs see the band heading down a power-rock road. Don't get me wrong, the pop that made their debut album what is was is still here, but in lesser amounts. "Pretty Whistle" has the most pop of the three tracks, and as a result it sticks out the most after your first several listens. One thing they prove, especially on "Pretty Whistle," is that front man Joe Davis still has a good grip on lyrics. "Burn Alone," the final song on this demo, has some well-crafted pop hooks in it as well, bringing these three songs to a nice close.

Even though there are only three songs, this tape still has a lot of energy and power behind it. As a four-piece now, they definitely are stronger, which can explain the evolution into a more powerful rock style. This tape also shows a lot of growth as a band, and if this is a sneak peak at their next full-length due out in the fall, then we're definitely in for something very powerful, to say the least.

Pinehurst Kids: Minnesota Hotel

Pinehurst Kids: Viewmaster

[Issue Ten // July 1998]