by Kris Handel (@khandel84)
Le Pain are a quartet based in California that pairs the Babuka-Black sisters—Madeline (Yucky Duster/Slippers) and Olivia (Peel Dream Magazine)—with bassist Scott Rosenthal and guitarist Alan Everhart. Dirge Technique is their first full length and includes Le Pain’s ever-intriguing singles that mix bouncy, late 60’s French pop vocals with bubbling psych colors and a genial playfulness reminiscent of Sarah Records and mid-90s twee-ish power pop. Olivia Babuka-Black’s vocals play between a coy huskiness to a seductive whispering coo as Madeline’s drums rumble and pound with enthusiasm and strength around Everhart’s swaying and popping bass. The mix of sultry and raucous fun ties these songs together no matter the avenue the band chooses to explore, with surprisingly deep storytelling that truly makes these songs come alive.
“See You Nowhere” is crunchy power pop driven by Everhart’s furious strumming that reverberates your head in slight overdrive. Le Pain show off their bouncy punk muscle here while mixing in their other characters to throw the listener on a wiggling and joyous trip. “Shoot the Piano Player” has the band falling into a dreamfully leisurely pace as keyboard notes jingle around bouncing bass and shuffling drums. Olivia’s French vocals flow deep and beautifully as the band’s loungey buzz is pierced by spiky guitar lines and buzzing keyboard that threaten to swarm over everything else before slipping away.
The previously released “Troisieme Groupe” highlights Olivia Babuka-Black’s vocals as she occasionally soars to higher registers as Everhart’s keys twinkle and Madeline’s drums surge with cymbal crashes. The bubbly atmosphere is a delight on the ears but there’s added muscle in Everhart’s repetitive chording and occasionally explorative keyboard interjections before the group soars to a final coda. “Running of the Bulls” starts off with a bit of a Cure-esque guitar line before falling back into a jangly chime as occasional washes of keyboard hum and buzz around the jumpy rhythm section. Everhart’s guitar line slash and pop throughout and Madeline’s drums charge and pound with a great amount of strength and fury that show the band really does have quite a bite.
Le Pain are a band that is immensely charming and their take on classic pop and Kraut-Rock experimentation adds quite a bit of intrigue to their wonderful musical mélange. Their ability to show softness—evoking springtime walks in parks in full floral bloom—with a tenacious attitude is on full display on Dirge Technique. There is a lot of musical contrast that brings a real spring to the band’s step. Le Pain are a band that will be a joy to see where their musical road takes them and the connection these songs exhibit should excite everyone whose paths they cross.