ACL Music Fest 2014 Sunday Review

Miniature Tigers

What happens when synthpop revivalism begins drowning in its own bubbles? Ask Miniature Tigers, which bet the farm on spry Eighties emulation clad in summer sport coats. Unlike the damaged tape warble of Neon Indian, this Brooklyn-via-Phoenix quartet's overwhelmingly clean chillwave approaches sterility. Fourth LP Cruel Runnings starts with the loudspeaker ambience of adolescent longing ("Swimming Pool Blues"), but its overly safe reliance on pre-chewed pastiche ultimately keeps the third dimension at bay. "Used to Be the Shit" crackles to life on an anesthetized Hall & Oates keyboard riff that loses its punch by the second verse. Any remaining cleverness is primarily titular. Similarly, Charlie Brand's affected, oversweet vocals lose their novel luster by never leaving first gear. Easy digestion may be good business, but lack of adventure remains unsettling. (1pm, Austin Ventures stage)