HONEYBUNCH - self titled EP

by Jason

Theres an urban myth that has circulated around Providence for as long as I can remember. If you drink from the fountain that's located on Benefit st. between the RISD & Brown campus you will always return to this town. No matter how hard you try to get away, the mystical power of this fountain & town will pull you back.. looks like Honeybunch's Jeffrey & Lisa Underhill had a drink at that fountain sometime during the late 80's when Jeffrey started Honeybunch here. Because after being absent from these parts for many years these two talented songwriters have returned home.
Jeffrey was one of the founding members of Velvet Crush, a seminal band in Providence music history. But Honeybunch was no less important to Jeffrey and he kept it going even when he was touring with the latter, releasing a slew of 7"s and helping to put the Providence indie sound on the map (anyone remember Small Factory?). Now its been 14 years since Honeybunch started, and they've returned to our town with a new lineup, a new ep and a well needed injection of quality pop to keep things honest and eclectic around these parts.
This self titled 5 song ep is filled with the kind of earnest, emotional songwriting that I've come to expect and enjoy from Honeybunch. Jeffrey & Lisa seem to be chronicling they're lives to a certain extent with this release, track one "Throwaway" is a lazy, jangly affair with a little bit of slide guitar that mixes in really well with Lisa's airy vocals and Jeff's lonesome sounding voice. The song seems to either be about starting things new in another place, another relationship (or both). Track 2 "Fear of Dating" showcases Lisa's vocals and has an almost Stereolab feel to it with a drum track and keyboard/synth squalls layering this pop gem.
The rest of the ep is quality and I definitely reccomend this highly... for fans of Hope Sandoval, Rainy Day, Opal & Small Factory...... Welcome back home Jeffrey & Lisa. You were missed.

ps.. if you dig this then you should pick up "Time Trials", an anthology that was released around 96' and covers almost all of the earlier singles put out by Honeybunch... a must if your serious about your pop.