Boy Genius - Blame Love/The Backyard 7":
Boy Genius - Anchorage CD; GPR002
The Anchorage full-length album is also available at CD Baby, and iTunes.
The Eureka EP is available online at cdbaby.com, insound.com and on iTunes."Brooklyn quartet Boy Genius has the same no-fuss charm that characterized a lot of 80s college rock: simple hooks, harmonies and melodies, ringing guitars - reliable stuff"
- Time Out New York Press for the Anchorage LP:
There’s something wounded in the sound of Boy Genius, a Brooklyn band with a knack for mid-’80s jangle-pop heroics. Perhaps it’s that skittish harmonica, or the bounding tempos, racing forward like a calf discovering the power of its own stride; maybe it’s the way Jason K sings, dangling his words on short strings before cutting them loose. Bittersweet and romantically infectious, Anchorage, the band’s full-length debut, is stocked with blissed-out sing-alongs ("Radio Silence”, “Eureka”, “Failing Gravity”—dig the wink to “Bold as Love” in that one) and colored, on the edges, by trumpet, glockenspiel, and tried-and-true male/female harmonies. “I am harboring a hope / That this harbor is my home,” K sings in the title track, while the band springs eternal around him—a salve for even the most broken of things.
- 7/10
- Popmatters
Boy Genius are definitely within the indiepop realm but not too sugary, not too precious, relying on well-crafted melodies and gentle, mostly-acoustic instrumentation to carry the songs...Boy Genius deserve more attention than they've gotten, hopefully that will come soon.
- Brooklyn Vegan
Boy Genius cast their influences a lot wider than simple Americana, they have an inner indiepop heartbeat and this is all adds up to a rather compelling mix of American college rock and British indiepop...I think this band are going to be something a little special.
- Indie MP3
Having reviewed this Brooklyn co-ed indie-pop outfit's Eureka EP last issue, it's good to see an LP follow close behind. Jason K's vocals remain an acquired taste, but it's one that's easily obtained for anyone owning records by Velvet Underground, Go-Betweens, Felt, Gun Club, or Beat Happening. Meanwhile, their quietly hummable light guitar pop is like a hodgepodge of the Feelies (my esteemed colleague Jim Testa of Jersey Beat was on the money with that comparison), Black Watch, New Zealand label Flying Nun bands, and, again, Felt. Bright and bouncy, full of sweet boy/girl harmonies, and yielding similar bursts of the great trumpets that highlighted the EP, and sighing harmonica, Anchorage easily picks up where Eureka's zesty exuberance suggested.
- Jack Rabid; Big Takeover 62
NYC band consisting of 2 boys and 2 girls. This group , who I had never heard of, deliver us their debut full-length (after an ep) and I see big things in the future for this bunch. Right out of the gate with the catchy-as-all-get-out "Radio Silence' which to me sounded like prime Beulah. I also hear elements of some prime Flying Nun bands (The Bats, Look Blue Go Purple, etc.) , the Go-Betweens and some of The Feelies too. Main vocalist Jason Korenkiewicz has one of those lazy but enjoyable mumbles/drawls like Glenn Mercer of The Feelies but with a bit more pep to it (and the other 3 all sing back up too). "No Beginning' sounds like one of those Dunedin, NZ tunes I was talking about and "Talk About Love" is all cheery "bah bah bah's" from the start. A few of the other songs don't hit you from the get-go but will tug at your ear on further listenings. I'm happy to say that ANCHORAGE is a fine pop listen from a fairly new band and well worth spending your hard-earned dough on.
- Dagger Zine
Boy Genius’s music will grow on you. That’s for sure. Upon your first listen, you’ll think: this isn’t half bad, I can dig this. Then distract yourself with something else for a day or two. Pick up Boy Genius again and it’ll likely hit you: Damn, I really like this! Yeah, that’s exactly what happened with me.
- Fensepost (Featured Band)
Boy Genius is an equation between strained but strong vocals, harmonica and horns, standard instruments, unique simplicity, two guys and two girls.
While they draw comparisons to Pavement and REM, there's something so much
more darling about their sound--and there's something about them that you
have to listen to again. Boy Genius engages you before you even realize how
much you like them. They're definitely catchy without being raucous, and
they're definitely warm without being fuzzy.
- Stranded In Stereo
This impressive Brooklyn quartet is most often compared to REM and Pavement. On their debut album there’s plenty of the fire and frenzy of early REM and the unhinged, literate college rock of Pavement, but there’s much more.There’s the buoyant romance and tender reflection of The Go-Betweens (especially the Bright Yellow Bright Orange album) on this debut; there’s the rich, reflective balladeering of the Butterflies of Love on the title track; and the passionate articulation of David Kilgour on No Beginning.But for Anchorage’s raw bite and melodic charm, for its furious strumming and its jubilant trumpet, Boy Genius sound like they owe their greatest debt of gratitude to the June Brides. And that, as anyone who knows the June Brides, is a pretty good place to be coming from.If you’re going to listen to them on myspace, I’d urge you to start at the bold harmonies and spiralling pop of Talk About Love (which, you know, might be a Raymond Carver reference, yet another point in their favour).
- Fire Escape Talking
It took me quite a while to really get into this record - in fact, though I found it basically enjoyable on first listen, I just couldn't really get too interested in it. What cinched it was seeing (and meeting) the band last week in Athens; they put on such a stellar set that when I listened to this record again afterwards, it clicked with me pretty quickly. Funny enough, the bands they remind me of the most are bands that also took me a few tries to fully enjoy (despite their legendary status): the Feelies, Galaxie 500 and the Go-Betweens (but with Lou Reed singing in place of Robert Forester). Many of the songs are jangly and fairly poppy, but only a few of them (such as "Talk About Love" and "Radio Silence", an earlier form of which was also the star of their debut EP last year) are actually catchy enough to pick up on the first time. Instead, it takes a little while for them to sink in - and when they finally do, the reward is great! MTQ=11/11
- Indiepages
At first listen Boy Genius may not impress you with their simple approach to indie rock on their debut full length Anchorage but I encourage you to listen again. It is this simplicity that starts to pull at your fingers, ears and brain to hit the repeat button. Boy Genius comes across like an early stages R.E.M. or Pavement with frontman Jason K’s delivery style and Anchorage’s somewhat raw production. This combination lets you focus on the solid lyrics and catchy melodic back n forth with vocalist Lisa K. Songs like “Radio Silence”, “Failing Gravity” and closer “Tied In Two” have a memorable quality to them that will fit into any indie playlist and stick with you long after they have ended. After covering the bands quality Eureka EP [2007] back in January it was nice to hear that Boy Genius expanded those ideas to release a debut album which has timeless appeal and capitalizes on their strength of playing it straight by just relying on core group elements to make Anchorage a success!
- The Fire Note
Singer/guitarist Jason K might not have much of a future on American Idol – I really can’t imagine him crooning pop ballads or belting out show tunes - but his casual, comforting vocals should earn him a devoted following in the indie underground. There’s no trace of hipster swagger on this Brooklyn combo’s debut full length, which continues very much in the low key but highly engaging style of last year’s “Eureka” EP; Boy Genius doesn’t want to make you dance (or break the furniture,) just perk you up with an ingratiating, filling warmth. Critics love to compare the group to 80’s college rock and you can understand why; upbeat tunes like “Talk About Love” or “Lake & Michigan” have the bouncy energy and jaunty rough edges of timeless indie-pop bands like Big Dipper and early R.E.M. (In raving about the “Eureka” EP, I even compared Boy Genius to the swelling, propulsive, pastoral groove of the Feelies, high praise indeed!) Fillips of trumpet, head-bobbing bass lines, subtle organ fills, and cozy harmonies enhance the band’s bright, exuberant melodies. Highly recommended.
- Jersey Beat
... a glorious, slightly ramshackle yet utterly life-affirming experience.
- How Does It Feel (Band of the Day)
And even more press...
Poptarts Suck Toasted - Band of the Week
Rock Sellout
Finest Kiss
Cable & Tweed
Another Form Of Relief
Thanks Captain Obvious
Subba-Cultcha
Popwreckoning Philly Live Review
Popwreckoning
Philly Girl About Town
Three Imaginary Girls Popfest Review
Sound Bites
Alex Loves You
Indie Surfer
Athens Exchange Popfest Show Review
Among The Aisles
Guilt Free Pleasure
Riffin.com Interview
Lito Music
Staten Island Advance
Das Klienicum
Rats To The Cats
30 Music
Retro Low Fi
Press for the Eureka EP:
"Sounds like the Gun Club's late Jeffrey Lee Pierce singing with the "Harborcoat"-era REM 23 years ago, only with orchestral trumpets added. Keep a watch."
- Jack Rabid, Big Take-over
"‘Radio Silence’ is a classic in waiting, its DIY heart hammers at your door until you finally relent. A slow amorous dance is sure to follow and Boy Genius’s slow ascent to glory gets another step closer."
- MP3 Hugger "Boy Genius are a new four piece band from Brooklyn, New York. Their debut EP 'Eureka' has 5 cracking songs on it. Coming in like a cross between indiepop and slackerpop. There are horns, catchy choruses and big beefy guitars. This is fine little EP for a band taking their first steps. I can hear echoes of early REM, Throwing Muses, Pavement and Pixies to name but four. But you will know that all four bands I have chosen to mention as comparisons are American. And that's no coincidence - for that is what Boy Genius sound like to me - a quintessential American college radio band. That's no bad thing and I am sure the band will attract a fair few fans based on the strength of this EP. A promising start."
- www.indie-mp3.co.uk
"It seems like we have featured a bunch of quality Brooklyn bands over the past several months and you can file Boy Genius right in there with the lot. On their debut EP Eureka, Boy Genius offer five simple tracks of indie pop that contains enough energy, excitement and talent to entice your interest and keep you going until their full length arrives later this year. The band has a very 80’s college sound with traditional guitar and drums combined with a vibrant male-female harmony. The EP includes handclaps, trumpet, organ and layered piano in very small doses, which gives the listener a small window into Boy Genius’s overall diversity and adds depth to the band. Eureka is a solid debut that plays no games to hide what Boy Genius is all about and prove that many times less really is more!"
- The Fire Note "Although they’re from Brooklyn, Boy/Genius sound like they might be part of the Jersey City folkie/art-rock collective that includes bands like Roadside Graves and American Watercolor Movement. This 5-song EP is deeply rooted in American roots music, delivered with a measured panache using layered vocals, guitars, harmonica, and trumpet. The lurching staccato beats even have Jersey roots in the droning polyrhythmic excursions of the Feelies and their many offshoots. And like the Feelies, the songs begin slow, soft, and low-key and build into symphonic anthems. Released last November, this EP almost slipped under our radar, but I’m glad that I plucked it from the promo pile and gave it a listen. I’m looking forward to more."
- Jersey Beat
Boy Genius is a band we’ve seen live a few times now. Between those shows and their EP, Eureka, which we’ve been enjoying, we’d say their sound is most reminiscent of the excellent New Zealand band The Bats or Yo La Tengo’s first album, Ride The Tiger. They have a new full-length album out now that we look forward to hearing.
- Stereoactive NYC
"truly an "indie-pop" ensemble that evokes R.E.M.'s older material, Voxtrot on a good night, and some early New Pornographers demos"
- bibabidi.com "This is one of those CDs where you think, upon first listen, "These guys are pretty good." And you spin it again and think, "God, this is a really great band." The most immediately singalongable--and representative--track is the terrific "Radio Silence," though I'm particularly drawn to their moving EP closer, "Great Lakes," which has a surprising grandeur. You will hear more from them, I hope."
- Electric Sailor "Radio Silence" reminds me of something I'd have taped off the radio about ten years, listened to repeatedly then spent two hours calling up the radio station asking for a request."
- alex-loves.blogspot.com "With an initial listen to this Brookyln quartet, you may think Boy Genius is a UK band. Simplistic and melodic with a great blend of male/female vocals."
5Acts.com Down load of the day (Fair Weather), January 16, 2008
- Little Radio
"your new favorite indie rock/pop"
- Sound Fix Weekly Newsletter
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