With the strength of a horse in an electric storm

Hooray for pop music! This is the time of year when listening to big fat downer songs seems a little ... unseasonal. In June and July I tend to need a little pick-me-up in the morning, something fast, short, and sweet for the bus ride downtown. Just when I was searching for something to use for this purpose, along comes Black Before Red, with their sugar-sweet melodies and perfect harmonies.
Black Before Red - Goddess In Trauma.
Though it's on the peppy side, there's a tinge of melancholy to this song, which definitely helps it go down easier. I like power pop as much as the next guy, but too many handclaps and 1-4-5 chord progressions and I start to go loopy. This song has such nice production, with little touches that give it a little texture, and it's poppy without forcing you into a good mood. You just get there.
Black Before Red is from Austin, and Belgrave to Kings Circle is their debut. It comes out on August 14, but you can pre-order it on the band's MySpace page.