From the Basement: From The Basement -- The Plastic Constellations
From The Basement #10
The Plastic Constellations/Let's War
Modern Radio/The Blood Of The Young
Ahhh youth. Usually youth, as far as bands are concerned, means inexperience, a lack of direction, and all around sloppiness. But, it's funny how the preconceived notions of youth in music can be shattered by one group of 18 year olds.
The Plastic Constellations came on to the Minneapolis music scene like a bull, breaking in and taking charge. But mysteriously, after the release and following tour for Let's War, haven't been heard from since. Some say (this is how internet rumors start) the band still gets together to jam and practice… but nothing in the way of live shows or recordings have materialized from this. So all the world has to remember this band of high schoolers (at the time it was recorded anyway) is Let's War.
For those of you into catchy indie rock, the likes that falls somewhere between Pavement and June of '44, are going to have some internet searching to do… because this is a must have. The album is chalked full of adolescent charm and adult song writing. They show maturity beyond their years, and couple it with youthful torment and angst. The results are a powerful burst of melody and wistful thoughts of days gone by; it's a combination that has been done before, but in this case, it's more memorable than most.
One can only hope that these guys come out of their self-imposed hiatus. Maybe someday they will tour the country again, but this time, rock it for more than 30 people in each town. But, whether or not this happens anytime soon, we still have this hidden gem to hold tight.
- Jake Haselman | 2003-08-21
