The Rosebuds - The Rosebuds Unwind

Local heroes currently on local worshipped label Merge, The Rosebuds have been putting out pretty pop for about three years now, give or take. The husband and wife team of Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp didn’t necessarily set out to start a band, but they did it anyway, and it’s been a pretty good thing for music lovers here in the Triangle and elsewhere. “You Better Get Ready” pulls you into The Rosebuds’ dance-along right off the bat with a great beat and words like “When the beat goes on, get on the floor / It might be social suicide, but she’ll be yours forevermore.” It’s nearly impossible to resist shaking your whole body around; in fact, I dare you. “Edmund Street” has a slightly sleazy, gritty sound that makes me think of early Stones: Think “It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It)". It’s a good thing, this comparison…Not to mention that this song is perfect at proving something a friend of mine once said, “You know, you can twist to any song. No, really.” When “El Camino” starts, you might be deathly afraid that it is a cover of “Yellow” by Coldplay – the guitar riff is, if not an exact, a damn good copy. Fortunately, the intro is mostly misleading, and the song lumbers sexily into an early 60s, almost drag, Link Ray–sounding torch song with Howard’s earnest vocals leading the way. But oddly enough, there is another moment about three minutes into it that again reminds me of “Yellow.” They’ve got to stop that. It’s disconcerting to say the least. By far, my favorite track is the dreamy pleading “Unwind.” “If you’d ever unwind / And relax for then maybe / We could have a good time / And this will help.” I love this song and have since before I even knew who it was. It’s just beautiful. The Rosebuds Unwind is rounded out by “I’d Feel Better,” which bops along in pure Britpop-inspired glory. It’s got great breaks and a driving bounce that will have you bobbing your head unless you happen to be comatose – and maybe even then. I haven't quite figured out yet why The Rosebuds aren't tearing up the scene nationally (or internationally for that matter) yet - I've heard conflicting things about their stage show, and since I've not seen them myself, I'll not venture an opinion. But based on the strength of their music, specifically this EP itself, they should be near or at the top of every Indie list for 2005. They have a full-length out now too, but that's for another review.... [www.therosebuds.com]