Music Style Indie Rock

Musical Influences Superchunk, Dinosaur Jr., Big Star, Uncle Tupelo, Meices, Pavement, Minutemen, Neil Young

Similar Artists Superchunk, Dinosaur Jr., Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, Minutemen, Mission of Burma, Guided by Voices

Artist History Little known in San Francisco since 1992.

Group Members Dave Power-guitar and vocals / Andy Chapman-bass / Oren Williams-drums

Instruments Guitar, bass, drums

Press Reviews Review of the Play Every Day CD in Delusions of Adequacy, April 2, 2001: Sammy Hagar was wrong: There is more than one way to rock. There are several, as it turns out, and Baby Carrot has found one that I wasn't aware of. This band is well familiar with pop and classic alternative sounds, but that doesn't mean that they use them in conventional ways. Instead of being foundations for the songs, the pop elements are used as decorations for more math-rock based explorations. Why? Because the man can't tell 'em not to, sucko! While Baby Carrot is at heart a pop-oriented band, don't expect easy accessibility. It sounds as if the band has absorbed a lot of music during the past decade or so, and much of their tastes have been on the outer edge of accessibility. As a result, there isn't one area you can pinpoint as to where the band is coming from. They've thrown away the map and compass and struck out on their own, but you can tell where the journey has taken them thus far. They've clearly spent some time with math rock, as the different parts in the songs don't always fit together seamlessly, and the band loves to throw in the occasional odd time signature. They've enjoyed the music of Sebadoh and Superchunk, with a particular attraction to these bands' more meandering moments. They appreciate the melodies and the lyrical content of Pavement. Although the band features a stripped down trio sound, that also doesn't prevent them from performing extended instrumental explorations, either. The fact that they've hidden their most pop-influenced songs (one buried in the middle and the other at the end of the record as a bonus track) tells you that these guys are not very interested in being an accessible band. They seem to be trying to close the door on any traces of a straight forward pop sound. That door swings pretty wide in both directions for the band. Take tracks 5 and 6, "Forgot to Read" and "Halfway." The former is so pop-oriented that it doesn't even sound like it belongs on the record, with its perky chorus and harmonica solo. Then immediately following that is the 6-plus minute "Half Way," which is a depressing Modest Mouse-like dirge. The press release indicates that these songs were gathered over a period of eight years, which might explain some of the cases of stylistic whiplash that will occur while listening. But something tells me the band likes it this way. Usually with records that feature different styles, I end up latching on to one particular song that really sums up what the band is all about. On this record, "Kids These Days" is the standout. This long, meandering "day in the life" tale of an indie nerd has it all. The song is a sort of Pavement-math hybrid, featuring quiet and laid back verses that blossom to a majestic, "big payoff" chorus, and the band isn't afraid to stop along the way to explore the scenery. This song should make it on to more than a few mix tapes. While Baby Carrot is a unique band in many ways, they have made a sacrifice in hiding their catchier moments. Many bands are forced to play math rock: They often lack an adequate singer, and as a result they don't focus on vocal melodies, in favor of providing intricate instrumental heroics and creating more atmospheric songs. What we have here is a band with good vocal abilities and a gift at coming up with melodies. The choice to "math out" is entirely their own, but you might find yourself wishing they would utilize their pop skills more often, simply because you can hear that they'd be really good at it. But they seem to take such great delight in sabotaging these moments that you might not even think about it. Accomplished, challenging, and very quirky, Baby Carrot should be a hit with die-hard indie rock fans who don't want their pop spoon-fed to them. File Under: Pop stranded in a sea of math rock RIYL: Pavement + Sebadoh meet _______ (fill in name of favorite math rock band here) - Nathan ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Review of the Play Every Day CD in the SF Bay Guardian, Mar. 21, 2001: Like those Dave stickers you see all over the Mission and the Haight, Baby Carrot are a local fixture. They've put out a steady stream of singles and EPs since 1992 – you see them in 7-inch bins at the record store but always think "I can wait for the full-length." Well, now's your chance, because the power pop trio have gone and released a whole album on their own label. Superchunk and Sugar come to mind a lot more readily in their earlier work, but they've always added math rock dynamics to the rush and push of their metal-edged power chords. On Play Every Day the band have replaced the halfhearted guitar solos of days gone by with a fierce rhythmic skill and fire that brings to mind a rich double espresso more than the sleepy-time compositions of a band like, say, Austin's Paul Newman. On songs such as "Spilt Milk" loose rhythms and minor-key melodies warp into headbanging staccatos. And if the tidal waves of noise on "Chinese Food and Donut" toss you about like a dinghy on the big blue, then "Kids These Days" and "Forgot to Read" have hooks that'll pull you ashore. - Deborah Giattina ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Review of the Play Every Day CD in The East Bay Express, March '01: With a much-belated debut CD("Play Every Day") out on its own Some Guy Down the Street label,the seldom-seen eight-year-old trio Baby Carrot pounds out noisy-buzzy, catchy, smart 'n' playful indie-pop that's lush and jerky and wry and all that stuff that can remind you of all manner of alt-rock heavies – Superchunk, Pavement, et al. – but is certainly ready to rule the radio on its own merits. If only life worked like that. - Sam Hurwitt ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------From Noisepop '98 program: Festival veterans Baby Carrot have been plying their noisy pop wares around San Francisco's clubs for several years. In ballpark terms, they could be described as a demure Superchunk with some seriously San Diego-type tendencies. They released the "Squeak In My Shoe" 7" last year on Some Guy Down the Street, a cooperative label that they run with a few other local bands (talk about DIY!!). They've recorded 5 songs for a full-length but no word yet on when that slab will see the light of day. Singer/guitarist Dave Power describes the band's sound as indie-pop, adding, "that's really vague, but it covers a lot of ground. We try to do that, too." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Review of the Squeak in my Shoe 7" in SnackCake! October '97:Baby Carrot are one of the best-kept secrets in San Francisco. They've been around for several years now but have managed to keep a consistently low-profile. Sorry, but if they keep making records like this the cat will be clawing its way out of the bag sometime very soon. The first thing that struck me about this 7" was the vastly improved production. Dave Powers' beefy guitars finally come through and the vocals are mixed at an audible level (something that hasn't always been the case on previous efforts). My favorite tune here is probably "Peal Away," but they're all worthy of your time. Anyone curious about the Now Sound in the City by the Bay should check this out. - Tim Scanlin ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------from review of the Rock Scientist compilation in SnackCake! September '96:"... Baby Carrot's 'But the Burning,'...quite appropriately, totally smokes. Watch out for these rising young bucks - I expect great things." - Tim Scanlin

Location San Francisco, CA - USA

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