PINBACK – “Tripoli” (MP3)
The real-life Pinback may be roisterous types, but when I hear “Tripoli” I think of saucer-eyed boys in basements making quiet sounds for themselves. With its mumbling vocals, with its humming-to-yourself harmonies and with the mousiest scratching I’ve ever heard, this is private music, in shelter from the world. Pinback, thank goodness, don’t sound anywhere near proficient enough to noodle, which is the big risk post-pop runs, and the no-attitude vocal approach means the simple, pretty tune gets room to breathe. Of course you’ll be underwhelmed the first time you listen to it, but hide it somewhere on an MP3 playlist and it’ll charm you soon enough.