Red Leaves

Disposable Parts

When we last left Red Leaves, the local trio was dodging zombies. Here, on their second EP, they’re building something bigger. Opener “Kill Your Sister” is a slow start, but “Bicycle Escape Plan” goes double Dutch on the jump-rope basslines of Singer Mayberry and the hopscotch drumming of Javier Cruz. More singing from Mayberry would add a nice blush; save for a few harmonies with singer/guitarist David Lujan, her voice is largely background. Lujan’s howl floats into Robert Smith territory, perhaps a nod to darker influences given the other tracks cut from an eyeliner-stained cloth: the dreamy “Love War Robots” and organ-driven “Dungeon Dance,” which revisits last year’s All the Zombies. Both songs build a solid case for the trio’s synth-pop canon. At just six songs, Parts feels a bit truncated but definitely not disposable. (Red Leaves celebrate the release of Parts Friday, April 20, at Hole in the Wall.)

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This article appears in April 20 • 2007.

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