You Said/Whispering Mice @ Semifinalists

Their musical stylings can't quite match their swanky band name

Single Review by Andrew Monroe | 16 Apr 2006
Single title: You Said/Whispering Mice
Artist: Semifinalists
Label: Regal Bear
Only hopeless nerds and record reviewers care about genre classifications, but what, exactly, is this? The A-side's lushly produced fuzzy intro recalls long-disbanded shoegazer outfits, but the big, clear, guitar line at the song's center is pure power-pop. The vocalist seems best suited to twee pop, which is to say that he sounds like a cartoon character who's just inhaled half a tank of helium and developed a head cold. The Semifinalists' songs aren't exactly bad, just unmemorable and unlikely to show up on your 'Recently Played' playlist anytime soon. It's a shame their musical stylings can't quite match their swanky band name. [Andrew Monroe]

This single is out now.