Barsuk, 2006
Drowaton, the latest release (their third, in fact) from indie pop favorites, Starlight Mints, opens with "Pumpkin," a head-bopping tune that sets a very clear stage for the course of the album, which, from its very outset, seems to be the most unique and powerful release from this Oklahoma band -- not easily, mind you; Starlight Mints has had a history of wonderful releases with both The Dream That Stuff Was Made Of in 2000 and Built on Squares in 2003.
Clocking in at just over 40 minutes and with 12 tracks, Drowaton is an expectedly surreal journey that, at times, takes a post-modern approach to its pieces. This is best evidenced in "Pearls (Submarine #2)," which one can only assume is related to the band's opening track on The Dream That Stuff Was Made Of, "Submarine #3." What relation they have (excepting the titles, of course) is open to discussion; the more recent ("Submarine #2") of the two is of an undeniably different sonic quality, and the lyrics of the two seem to have a tenuous relationship at best. Of course, this is part of what makes Starlight Mints so appealing to listeners; the band's eager and playful attitude is bound to rub off with some ease on a receptive audience.
Unlike some dreary releases, Drowaton manages a unique -- but not jarringly so -- listening experience, even from its prior releases. Undoubtedly written and recorded with a fair amount of delight, the album is about as varied as one can reasonably expect. Sure, it doesn't jump from tear-jerking love ballad to anything in-your-face (Drowaton, as one would expect, doesn't seem to care if you like or dislike it), but it does manage to combine large doses the usual Starlight Mints pop fare, a few more rock-oriented pieces, a folk-ish, downbeat piece, and a whole lot of culled influences.
It's evident that Drowaton is easily a successful album; even beyond this, it certainly holds its own next to the band's two previous releases, and that's a feat in and of itself.