Mixtapes – A Short Collection Of Short Songs

Cincinnati’s Mixtapes are quite possibly the most prolific band in recent memory. It seems that every month or two they’ve got another EP, seven inch or digital album out for their ever growing fan base to devour.  They’re able to remain in the forefront of people’s minds without resorting to those “release a 12 song album one song at a time for an entire year” gimmick. These are full releases – yeah, EPs – but full releases nonetheless. But while the constant onslaught of new material could become tiresome from some bands, it works for Mixtapes because they’re easily one of the best pop-punk bands around today.

On their six song seven inch (seven song if you get the digital version that comes with an awesome cover of Hold Steady’s Little Hoodrat Friend as a bonus track), Mixtapes deliver what the title promises: A Short Collection of Short Songs. These six songs play through in around twelve minutes and they never waste a second in any of those few minutes.

While distinctly more pop than punk, this is one case where that’s not necessarily a bad thing for Mixtapes are fun – like undeniably fun – and A Short Collection is some of their strongest work to date. Such a full sonic onslaught, Ryan Rockwell and Maura Weaver trade off vocals one after another creating a never ending sense of rejuvenation. Weaver takes most of the vocals leads here, showing off her sugary sweet vocals on tracks like the piano and acoustic based Whit’s End and the energetic ball of excitement that is The Real Hotel California. Most songs, however, have a nice mixture where they either trade off verses or harmonize their vocal delivery in a way that really works wonders for them and adds – once again – to the full sounding feel of the EP. Tune into Soup Whatever and you’ll hear everyone singing along and soon you’ll be too.

Oddly enough, A Short Collection is a bit more subdued then some of their earlier material with a softer tone surrounding it all. Some songs are a big heavier, like the bass heavy intro to Birthday Party Summer Camp (Helllooooooo Megggann), but others are more reserved and built off of piano melodies and acoustic guitars. This isn’t a complaint but merely an observation as the songs are still energetic, fun and smile inducing – plus, they’ve always had a fair share of mellower tunes. Either way, it just works to make a more varied offering that somehow still remains rather cohesive.

Lyrically, the band carries on that jubilant attitude that permeates through every note that they strike.  These are songs that celebrate the little things like writing songs, hanging with friends and exploring the big, wide world.  There are moments of nostalgia soaked reminiscing where they detail failed friendships and how people simply change as they grow up. It’s simple but strangely relatable.

There’s not a moment wasted here. Instead, Mixtapes have delivered six perfectly delectable pop-punk tunes and I’m sure that in a few more months we’ll have another handful of tracks to gobble down and I can’t wait.