Bill Times a Billion are a husband and wife duo from Buffalo, NY that produce a lo-fi brand of pop music. Their latest EP, Say It Nicer, is an exemplary piece of garage pop – a succinct blend of original tracks and covers that clocks in at around 18 minutes, meaning that each song packs a punch without being overworked. The release does not outstay its welcome, instead forcing you to hit the repeat button. It’s addictive stuff that stops just before you are satisfied and you find yourself playing the whole thing again.
There are three covers on the release; a stirring rendition of Motor Away by Guided By Voices, a lovely version of I Think We’re Alone Now by Tommy James & The Shondelles, and a cover of Sam Cooke’s Bring It On Home To Me which signs off the album perfectly.
Their sound is lo-fi but not scuzzy, with Liz Brown’s vocals nice and clear rather than the aural blur that many bands of this genre opt for. Fans of Screaming Females, Sleater-Kinney, Shellshag, etc. should find a new favourite in Bill Times a Billion.
Say It Nicer is available for free over at Bandcamp.