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When Parks and Recreation sent out this demo CD of their self described "post modern" pop they had yet to be picked up by a label for distribution. The promo material included expressed their hope that their intriguing, fun four tracks would be enough to convince someone to sign them. Well, we can all be happy that the Portland-based Hush Records took the bait. The group, comprised of Michael Johnson, Anthony Georgis, Jason Hughes, Joe Ballman and Bob Ham, have since released a full-length CD entitled What Was She Doing On The Shore That Night? My demo copy only had four songs to keep me entertained, and I have to say that I was definitely disappointed when the CD came to an end.

I'm not too sure what "post-modern" pop is, but if Parks and Recreation is at all representative of this supposed "genre-less genre" than I'm hooked. They seem to have appropriated the best aspects of pop music from the last forty years and transformed it into something catchy, fun and addictive.

“What Was She Doing on the Shore Last Night?” has Belle and Sebastian-esque melodies, combined with an upbeat tempo, and a pounding bass. When I was listening to this track I kept trying to figure out where I had heard something like it before, something to compare it to. I found that I could both compare it to everything and nothing. They pull their sound from so many diverse sources that the result is quite unique.

“Break Into Song” made me smile. It reminded me almost of a late 70s, early 80s sitcom theme song. I’m not sure it that’s a good thing or not, but it definitely had me bobbing my head. The lyrics are really funny so I don’t think were supposed to take the music too seriously. Parks and Recreation are just having a really fun time making this music. “Maybe the Moon Knows Something” had an almost sixties feel to it. Clocking in at less than three minutes, there is nothing superfluous or unnecessary. Parks and Recreation really know how to give their listeners what they want and limit their songs to what is absolutely essential. You will not find any ego-boosting guitar solos on this album.

The final track slows things down and has a great acoustic vibe. It has a brit-pop feel with its lush melodies and slow tempo.

What I like best about Parks and Recreation is their complete lack of pretension and affectation, despite what you may expect from a "post-modern" pop group, whatever that may be. Everything from their music, to their promo material, to their website just seems completely genuine. I may be wrong, but Parks and Recreation seems like a great group of guys, guys you could have gone to high school with, guys you could be friends with. And this makes me want to like them, and hope that they succeed. So like Hush, I'm also going to take the bait and go out and purchase their full-length debut CD. Four songs just really aren’t enough.

Stephanie Rebick

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