Sprites - Starling, Spiders, Tiger and Sprites
(March Records)

Once upon a time in D.C. a bunch of self-professed computer nerds started making music. With songs like "The Downside of Computer Camp", "I Have the Password To Your Shell Account" and "Robot Trouble"... these were not your average skateboard punks trying to hammer out a tune. The band was Barcelona. From from the death of one thing spurned another as Jason, Jen, Ivan and Christian aren't making music together anymore. The first offshoot to arise on record is Sprites. (Those of you who were paying attention have already heard a Sprites song on our Flirt compilation... and may have also noted The Positions formed by another former Barcelona Boy.)

So what is this Sprites thing? Jason Korzen, former singer and guitarist for Barcelona, and his wife Amy have changed their tune. As they now sing about love, hope and a little bit of history... they've developed into a well rounded outfit (especially since considering there are only 'officially' two of them with a "a loose collection of friends"). If you want goofy and whimsical pop, this is it. Gone are the layers of synths to be replaced with the ease and accessibility of acoustic rhythms. Utilizing the talents of recording guru Trevor Kampmann, Jay has managed to accomplish a lush full sound using less instrumentation. I won't say Sprites tunes have more heart than Barcelona songs did, but they're a little more upbeat and less lonely. Best song on the album? Hands down it has to be 'Ask Me To Dance' where we get a view into the life of the shy Jay who just can't leave security of a club's wall. The poppish fun is a merry-go- round of indie un-cool. Jason's more than willing to out his self- deprecation, especially seen on 'I wish I sang better' (Sometimes I wish I sang a little better/But I don't/Must be a frog in my throat/Or a lapse in my brain/Might Be a wrong guitar chord in the refrain). As Jason notes later in the same song "it's sincerity that gets me" and this album on a whole is as sincere as it gets. Yes it's quirky, odd and full of handclaps but it works. Sprites have won me over.