"Right from the marvelously bizarre
opening song "Take Me Home" you know that this ain't gonna your
run-of-the-mill generic pop-rock album: a wacky falsetto vocal bounces off
a persistent electronic beat and crisp fingersnaps. The rest of the album
follows suit with one catchy and inventive track after another which
admirably eschews the bland and conventional in favor of the novel and
imaginative: Quirky highlights contained herein include hale-n-hearty
toe-tapper "Sing Song", the groovy rocker "ABC" and the lulling and
soothing "Speak Softly" . Toss in eclectic and harmonic arrangements,
infectiously robust singing, an inspired sense of pure go-for-it audacity
and creativity, and the net result spells -WINNER- all the way. A
gloriously flaky and idiosyncratic one-of-a-kind doozy." - Joe Wawyrzniak, Jersey Beat
"Team Genius is a pretty badass band who take pop music and make it as eclectic as they can to create great music. With a self-titled album out that is very solid, these guys are worth checking out if you’re into awesome new music." - ShortandSweetNYC.com
"This debut self released album is a pure joy of surprise/excitement. Their songs are catchy, poppy indie numbers that refuse to leave my head all day long. Fans of old K Records and Polyvinyl Records releases need to check them out." - Crashin' In
"Team Genius may just have one of the most interesting eclectic pop records of the year on their hands. A few pairs of siblings and some buddies make up this Indie Pop group, and you can hear it in their music. Their first single "Take Me Home" reminds me of Some Talking Heads, with Prince guest appearing on vocals, and even some FYC's." - perfspot.com
"Take Me Home is absolutely tits: snappy electro-funk-meets-downtown dance dive, as realized by a hip suburban jazz choir." - WeHeartMusic.Com
"Team Genius provides irreverent indie pop for the ipod generation." - Powerpopaholic.com
"Straight out of the heartland of America comes Team Genius. With somewhere between 6-8 members and several siblings this is a band that doesn't seem to know when to stop adding members or instruments. With their debut EP, Hooray, released earlier in the year to critical acclaim, the band thought that it seemed only fitting to close out 2008 by releasing their debut album Team Genius.
Oozing with ideas and unafraid to try any idea or sound that might come their way, Team Genius manages to cram just about everything and anything into their short but sweet debut. Although the band rambles about with all sorts of sounds and styles, the band is essentially an indie pop band that sounds something like a fluffier Arcade Fire or Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah who ran into the entire K Records roster in a candy factory. The melodic, adorably catchy songs on Team Genius shuffle about shyly as only a band with seven or eight members (depending on the day of the week) could.
Complete with falsetto vocals, ukulele folk, hand claps, snaps, accordion, strings, horns and even bells Team Genius may remind you of a charity jumble sale but upon closer inspection it reveals itself as a charming jangly pop record. From the rather bleakly titled, "Surely the Sun Will Explode," to "Sing Song," Team Genius is a jolly and sugary sweet romp through the indie pop spectrum that are a bit eclectic, a bit shy, and a bit awkward in that weird sort of way that people who wear cardigans and thick framed glasses can relate to.
Team Genius packs a lot of pop into ten songs and who knows by the time they get around to recording album number two they might very well have an orchestra on their hands. That would be a fun listen. But, as it stands Team Genius do a great job of creating syrupy infectious songs with the small team that they have and their album, Team Genius is a fine debut." - First Coast News
"It took me a few listens before I started to appreciate this Team Genius full length. Varying in approach from song to song, Team Genius leader Drew Hermiller and his band fill out this record with a little bit of everything. Good entertainment, complete with the bright horns and falsettos of opener "Take Me Home"; the carnivalesque "Sing Song"; and the warm comfort kum-by-ya of "While We're Asleep"; all coming together with surprising continuity. Of the album's varied notions, Hermiller says: “Basically it’s a reaction to the modern way music is consumed and listened to, ...The idea of an album with a focused sound and a complete statement kind of gets lost now-a-days. Everyone shuffles around, so I thought ‘why not write an album that does the same thing?’ Luckily, the band did an awesome job of keeping up with it.” Moving without collapse and saturated with animation, Team Genius is well conceived and best of all, eccentric without being goofy. It all tops out on "Surely The Sun Will Explode," with synths and harmonies finding equal altitude." - Parasites and Sychophants
"In an era of podcasts and shuffle modes and the ability to download a couples song here and a few songs there, the traditional album may be changing. The chances of someone going to itunes and buying an entire album may be slim, and buying a cd is even more unusual. So what can a musician do make an entire album appeal to a wide range of listeners. Brooklyn's eight member group, Team Genius feel they have discovered a solution, and the results are extremely enjoyable. Drew Hermiller is the foundation of the group and calls the record "a reaction to the modern way music is consumed and listened to". So they made an "ipod" album.
It would be to broad of a statement to called their sound indie pop. They shift sounds from track to track, from funky falsettos (“Take Me Home”), to Celtic intonations (“Sing Song”), epic anthems (“ABC”), weird pep rallies (“The Wise Ones All Give Up”), two chord experimentation (“Meanderings and Musings”), ukulele folk (“Speak Softly”), and even a campfire sing-along (“While We’re Asleep). Consisting of two sets of siblings, they certainly possess the talent and instruments to make each style and sound work perfectly. The risk when making an album like this is that it may sound disorganized, but Drew's lyrics and creative vocals nicely tie the album together." - What To Wear During An Organe Alert
"Team Genius are the kind of band you wish you had joined or known about during summer camp, because while you had lofty goals to become rock stars, you know it was just nothing more than making great sounds with friends. This is what Team Genius are." - The Run Off Groove
EP PRESS
"Hooray does seem to be the correct word choice for this five-song EP. With fast guitar riffs, happy, upbeat vocals, keyboards and clinking drums, Team Genius wails back and forth between dance-y post-punk and a freak-folk family style appeal. Eight members, two brothers, two girls, lots of influences and instruments meld together in a family style manner with “oohs” in the choruses and a smattering of harmonies. Contrasting the dance-y, exciting songs like “Let’s All Sleep Together” with more folk-y numbers like “Sing Song” it is only slightly easy see the similar elements, vocally and instrumentally that tie the two together. Keeping that in mind, each tune bares a slightly different style, but still shares something in common with the others. Team Genius’ sound gives off the impression that not only is it great to listen to, but they would probably be exciting to see live, which is sometimes hard to get from an album." - The Deli Magazine
"Brooklyn, New York's Team Genius have crafted the perfect sing-along for sports games, buddies celebrating at a bar or even pirates drinking on a ship! The handclaps and background chants of "woo" make it a simple yet fun song to listen to ... and the harmonica at the end is an added bonus. "Sing Song" is from the album Hooray, a collection of songs that are bound to be part of your summer soundtrack." - Buzznet.com
"I can't deny there are more than a few songs that make me want to pop open a cold beer, but "Sing Song" by Team Genius (from their excellent Hooray EP) is one of the only ones I remember that sent me straight from the stereo to the fridge on first listen. It also makes me remember that not enough music is this fun. The Ohio band is working on a full-length that they plan to bestow upon us this fall, and until then...Hooray beer!" - Podflash.net
"Taking nerdy animation to new highs, Team Genius bring the Hooray E.P., complete with five fun loving pop songs. Ranging from the guitar chug of "Let's All Sleep Together," to the back alley sing along "Sing Song," this one will be over too quick for some of you. Not to mention, the best song, the synth "woo-hoo" laden "Hand Claps in E Major," will surely ease the pain of the coming heat." - Parasites and Sycophants
"Brooklyn’s Team Genius debut a unique sound, or a number of unique sounds, on this 5 song EP. With an energy that has been compared to the likes of Animal Collective and the Arcade Fire, Hooray is full of fun pop songs that mix downright danceable beats with harmonies, handclaps, and pointed lyrics. Track 1, “Let’s All Sleep Together” has a Weezer à la Pinkerton sound; while “Sing Song” offers a more accurate taste of the Team Genius sound, one that strongly echo’s Wolf Parade - vocalist Drew Hermiller actually sounds a hell of a lot like Spencer Krug at times. The EP progresses with a bigger sound on “Hand Claps in E”, the discs highlight; while “I’m Just an Idiot” brings a caffeinated Wolf Parade meets the Sex Pistols sound. The album ends with the slower, and very strong, “Must”, a number that showcases the more lyrical depth and range of this young, fun, pop band.
I imagine Hooray is just the tip of the iceberg - looking forward to a undeniably rewarding full length. A fun EP that doesn’t overshoot it’s mark." - MyMixTapes.org
"The five tracks featured on this debut E.P. from Team Genius vacillate from quirky psych-folk (Sing Song & Hand Claps in E Major) to edgy post-punk (Let’s All Sleep Together & I’m Just An Idiot) to gnarly twee country-pop (Must). References the knowing observant might pick up would include the Flaming Lips, XTC, Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan, Lambchop to name but a few.
My personal highlights would be the geeky one-two sucker punch of the shamelessly shambolic Sing Song and the rather more mellifluent Hand Claps in E Major, which promise a textural direction that channels the slightly schizophrenic genius of the likes of Brian Wilson and Todd Rundgren.
Hopefully, a teaser for the full-length album to come.
Promising." - The Power of Pop
"Team Genius makes great scratchy and nerdy indie-pop from the Midwest. These kids are making music fun again by making silly songs that are instantly catchy, yet filled with tons of heartfelt lyrics that soar in your ear all day long (check out “Handclaps In E Major” for the perfect example). With all of the large influx of bands trying too hard, it is good to hear a band having a good time again, while still making good songs." - 4 Out of 5 Stars - Crashin' In
"5 out of 5! - After much thought, it is the perfect EP." - Allan's World http://music.allansworld.info/2008/03/29/team-genius-hooray-ep/
haha Mr.Chad ^.^ my U.S history teacher i just recently checked out the music and i really like it. Now I see what you were doing in the city after school. either way the music is great and so are the videos, keep it up guys
Oh man, Mr.Hermiller. More than likely don't remember me, but you were one of my favorite teachers back in high school. Now I find that you're in a cool indie band. Totally one of my heroes now.
Hello Team Genius, Thank you for being friends with WRMusicReview!
We recently teamed up with our friends @ HunnyPot Radio on their most recent show this past Monday, Nov. 3rd featuring live performances by Obedient Waves & Hot Pink DeLorean, and would LOVE to share the week-long re-broadcast and download (see Hunnydrip Blog) with you and yours!
Click Below to listen to the re-broadcast and to learn more about Hunnypot!
Hi Team Genius, thanks for the add! We clicked on you guys because you like nice. We added you guys because you sound nice! Check out our shows, they are also full of bands that sound nice, and we should all be friends and make lovely music!
i like the new stuff. murdock says full steam ahead. its a go. can i make a cover request for your next fun loving gathering of friends and fans? Clara Clairvoyant by Donovan. Sure to be a hit. godspeed gentle vessels of truth and nonsense.
Any time you can fly on out! just give me enough notice, and I'll set up a joint show! The more notice the better, but I can pull weird shit off last minute if necessary too. :-) Heather
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