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CD
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TR 231CD
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This is the self-titled debut by Michael Deakers and Josh Ottum aka Junior High. Junior High celebrates the sounds and emotions that are inextricably linked with the emergence of the synthesizer, the warmth and nostalgia of a pastel-colored windbreaker, sailboats, and the unapologetic lyrical positivity of the 1980s. Both Deakers and Ottum grew up in the 80's with older sisters who directly and indirectly exposed them to the beautiful collision of athletic sentimentality, relentless grooves, and the technological innovations of a digital age. Whitney Houston, The Pointer Sisters, Prince, the St. Elmo's Fire soundtrack -- these are just a few of the cassettes that have been worn out by the members of Junior High. Not content to pretend they're living in the past, the group's songs embrace a number of influences from different periods in history. "My Number One" features a Roy Orbison-esque post-chorus; the epic "Shufflin' The Cards" is reminiscent of Steely Dan and M.I.A.; and the anthemic and undeniably catchy single "PSA" has nods to Michael Jackson and soundtrack composers Harold Faltermeyer and Giorgio Moroder. In an age thick with irony and emotional distance, Junior High is a sincere, catchy, and highly danceable breath of fresh air. This is music made by instinct. And these instincts say, "Pretend you are 13 and you're alone in your bedroom dancing in front of the mirror!" The album also features some choice contributions by Los Angeles musicians John Wood (The Black Keys, Sebastian Tellier) and Frank Lenz (Richard Swift, Jesca Hoop).
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LP+CD
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TR 231LP
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LP version with CD. This is the self-titled debut by Michael Deakers and Josh Ottum aka Junior High. Junior High celebrates the sounds and emotions that are inextricably linked with the emergence of the synthesizer, the warmth and nostalgia of a pastel-colored windbreaker, sailboats, and the unapologetic lyrical positivity of the 1980s. Both Deakers and Ottum grew up in the 80's with older sisters who directly and indirectly exposed them to the beautiful collision of athletic sentimentality, relentless grooves, and the technological innovations of a digital age. Whitney Houston, The Pointer Sisters, Prince, the St. Elmo's Fire soundtrack -- these are just a few of the cassettes that have been worn out by the members of Junior High. Not content to pretend they're living in the past, the group's songs embrace a number of influences from different periods in history. "My Number One" features a Roy Orbison-esque post-chorus; the epic "Shufflin' The Cards" is reminiscent of Steely Dan and M.I.A.; and the anthemic and undeniably catchy single "PSA" has nods to Michael Jackson and soundtrack composers Harold Faltermeyer and Giorgio Moroder. In an age thick with irony and emotional distance, Junior High is a sincere, catchy, and highly danceable breath of fresh air. This is music made by instinct. And these instincts say, "Pretend you are 13 and you're alone in your bedroom dancing in front of the mirror!" The album also features some choice contributions by Los Angeles musicians John Wood (The Black Keys, Sebastian Tellier) and Frank Lenz (Richard Swift, Jesca Hoop).
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