Grandaddy Sumday (V2) Rating: NNNN Rating: NNNN
If, instead of fighting technobeasts, Yoshimi, the heroine of last year’s Flaming Lips psych-rock masterpiece Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, had to go back in time and guest star on an episode of Scooby Doo in which she wages war against a cartoon fleet of Beach Boys gone bad, this would be her soundtrack. Sumday picks up the same themes of existential anguish and technological anxiety that served as the Lips’ concept, but Modesto space-rock outfit Grandaddy infuse their quirky, lilting tunes with a summery organic bent, opting for live instrumentation, cheesy analog sound effects, retro-sparkly synths and 60sish “do do do” bridges. It’s quite charming, and songwriter/frontman Jason Lytle is a master of the original ridiculously catchy hook. Perfect for Popsicles in 27-degree weather.