Science Partner

Although it's labeled as a mere demo, this three-song, self-titled disc from Science Partner — formerly the Tyler Despres band — is far from a sketch or work in progress. Tightly controlled and clean as a whistle, it offers a quick dose of acoustic-based indie pop that, while sugary and...

By Jason Heller

October 8, 2009

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Although it's labeled as a mere demo, this three-song, self-titled disc from Science Partner — formerly the Tyler Despres band — is far from a sketch or work in progress. Tightly controlled and clean as a whistle, it offers a quick dose of acoustic-based indie pop that, while sugary and harmonized, manages to have a bit of texture and bite. "Bee Is a Bee" is an almost nursery-rhyme kind of ditty dripping with rich instrumentation, while "A Little Sound" wraps the same vibe in a folkier feel. Despres and company don't discover a downbeat key until the closer, "Ground Fault Interrupter," and by that time, it's already clear that these people are of the happy and shiny variety and that Science Partner is all about the bounce and the sigh. Which suits this debut just right.

Jason Heller is a staff writer at Westword. He's the author of the book Strange Stars: David Bowie, Pop Music, and the Decade Sci-Fi Exploded (Melville House/Penguin Random House), and has contributed to the New Yorker, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and NPR.org. His work has won a Hugo Award and a Colorado Press Association Award.

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