Hoboken psych rock quartet The Special Pillow are having fun with modern day nuisances, first world problems and technological possibilities lurking around the corner on their new EP Mind Wipe. They are trying to cope with websites asking visitors to prove that they are not a robot (Access Denied), seriously considering to start with a clean slate - the title track - and fearing that the environment will be fighting back (Organic Panic) wearing the cloak of a sunny side up wordless chant (and flamingos making a racket). It is all done with tongue-in-cheek lyrics, culminating in the self-deprecating closing track Another Tragic Chorus.
They have been part of the underground scene for longer than they care to remember, releasing a steady flow of high-grade, melodic pop albums that have gained them a following that will stick by them. Relying on word-of-mouth has made them a critic's favorite and maybe someday the rest of the world will take notice and get them their well-deserved recognition.
The Special Pillow:
Dan Cuddy: bass, vocals, moon guitar, keyboard, glockenspiel
Katie Gentile: violin, viola, vocals
Peter Stuart: guitars, vocals, electric sitar
Eric Marc Cohen: drums, percussion, vocals
Robbie Lee: Chamberlin drum cameo (4); gemshorn and zither (5); wind synth and bass melodica (6)
Cheryl Kingan: baritone saxophone (4, 5)
Steven Levi: cornet (4, 5)
Flamingo fracas on track 5 recorded live at the Bronx Zoo
Mind Wipe is released via Zofko Records. Release date: August 12.
Tracks:- Red Lantern
- Mind Wipe
- So Inclined
- Access Denied
- Organic Panic
- Another Tragic Chorus
HCTF review of I Woke Up.