The Hair, The TV, The Baby & The Band
by Imperial Teen

Album details

US: 21 August 2007 on Merge
UK: IMPORT ONLY

The Roddy Bottum-led, San Francisco-based alt-rock four-piece returns with its first album in five years.

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The critical consensus

The title of Imperial Teen’s fourth album is a reference to how the four members spent the five years since issuing their third album, "On," but really, what they have done during their lengthy hiatus is mature. All Music Guide notes that this new maturity brings a "unique restraint" and "subtlety" to The Hair, resulting in "a grower full of grown-up pop." Other critics also are enjoying the new album. CMJ hears "smart, sunshine-infused songs," while The Onion notes "an especially tight set" and the Austin Chronicle cites the band’s "perfect" chemistry in its rave review. Speaking of raves, Lost At Sea calls The Hair "one of the best records of the year," asking, "When is the last time an alt-pop record was this blissfully uncomplicated?" Treble concurs, noting, "The most remarkable thing about Imperial Teen is that the lack of fuss or pretense is the exact thing that makes their music sound so unique and enjoyable." And Paste decides that "there is much to be excited about here."

Under The Radar hears "something of a rehash of On, and a small step down from that album’s focused energy and brilliant pop mechanics." Pitchfork implies that the album pulls in opposite directions, dealing thematically with "growing old with grace" while at the same time plagued by occasional "silliness." Both that publication and Tiny Mix Tapes comment that despite the new subject matter, Imperial Teen’s sound has changed little over time, and the latter adds, "what saves the album from musically becoming a boring, going-through-the-motions exercise is Imperial Teen’s ability to write good hooks." ChartAttack notes that "the first half of the record is a bit difficult to get through," while PopMatters is disappointed with the disc, at times hearing a band going through the motions.

An exhilarating blast of pop perfection.

- Barbara Mitchell, The Stranger

Review roundup

Tracklisting and media

1. Everything
2. Do It Better
3. Shim Sham
   
4. The Hair, the TV, the Baby & the Band
5. One Two
6. Room With a View
7. It’s Now
8. Fallen Idol
9. Sweet Potato
10. Everyone Wants To Know
11. 21st Century
12. What You Do

Also on the web

• Official Artist Site
• Imperial Teen @ Merge
• Imperial Teen @ MySpace