T.V.U. are a power pop band from Portland, the latest act to release a tape on the ever-prolific Reflective Tapes. Demo is a collection of five songs that will remind you why you love DIY rock ‘n roll, what Reflective Tapes describe as “power pop done right […] nice gritty recording, plenty of dirt, huge hooks, awesome lyrics.”
‘Can You See Me Now?’ kicks things off with a scrappy, punky energy and vocals that have the lo-fi zeal of Dogbreth. ‘Bathing in Bad Love’ is another intravenous hit of super fun punk, guitar flailing and chugging in a multitude of patterns across the barely two minute run time. At times it sounds like a slice of classic punk, and others like runaway rock ‘n roll, even at one point threatening to go country.
‘All For Nothing’ is reminiscent of the livelier moments on the early LVL UP releases, mumbly vocals dragged from apathy by the sheer momentum of the instrumentation. It’s a love song, but one I can get behind, full of existential dread despite its carefree pace. But, despite all that, it manages to wear its heart on its sleeve too, something the chorus can attest to.
“We just want someone to be there
so it’s not all for nothing”
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Things don’t ease up on ‘They’re Taking You Away’, another infectious and gloriously messy power pop song, before closer ‘Tactical Bite’ delays with bedbugs and the “power struggle” of love. Unsurprisingly, it’s short and sweet and lots of fun, and just begs you to hit that repeat button again and again.
You can get Demo via Reflective Tapes, or on a name-your-price download from the T.V.U. Bandcamp page.
