antimusic.com: RockPile: Broods- Neomythics Review

Broods- Neomythics

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Broods
(Self titled)
Capitol

Keyboards player Caleb Knott and his singing sister Georgia are Broods, the latest entry in the pop sweepstakes to hail from New Zealand, and this six-song self-titled effort is their debut release. First single "Bridges" is pretty typical of what the duo offer: catchy (and sometimes purposefully glitchy) synth melodies and gauzy vocals aimed at those who like the mellow side of the pop charts. With prominent use of acoustic guitar the song "Taking You There" takes on a folky tone but that's the EP's one departure; otherwise what you have here is sweet and unhurried synth pop.

Neomythics
More Protection
Ex-Fed

The title cut of More Protection has is a bouncy, piano-driven melody and a harmony vocal arrangement that makes it akin to something that Graham Nash might have done a few decades back but "Spider Love" has a funky edge to it that recalls Steely Dan. Basically a duo featuring multi-instrumentalists Matt Montgomery and Gregory Howe aided by a handful of sidemen including vaunted guitarist Harvey Mandel, Neomythics are more concerned with making interesting music than they are pigeonholing themselves with one particular style. But Steely Dan-esque esoterica seems to be the main pattern here as some vocals sound like a channeling of Donald Fagen and Mandel's guitar work, especially on "Surface Tension," rivals that of any of the Dan's many axe men. A little bit of a challenging listen, but built to reveal its rewards over the long run.

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