The band Peach Pit is an indie pop/rock group from Vancouver formed in 2016. The four boys in the group are Neil Smith (lead singer), Mikey Pascuzzi (drummer), Peter Wilton (bHelp), and Christopher Vanderkooy (guitarist). The band has been described as “chewed bubblegum pop”. They create a wholistic vibey feel that will keep you coming back for more.
The album “Being so Normal” begins with a synth pop song called “Drop the Guillotine”. The song tells a story about an ex that moved on and a guy that had once not cared about her, begins to show her attention now that it is convenient for him. The vocals are cathartic and smooth. “Drop the Guillotine” is an upbeat track with a laid back vibe. Certain portions of the lead guitar solos are juxtaposed with a rougher muffled sound that creates texture toward the end of the song. “Drop the Guillotine” is a bop that will get your foot tapping, and your shoulders moving until your whole body is dancing with no restraint.
The track “Being so Normal” transitioned into a more melancholy feel with heavy reliance on electric guitar solos to show Neil’s emotions.Neil tells a narrative about an ex in high school and how they grew apart and changed. By the end of the song, the clean guitar riffs begin to fray and become fussy, and more chaotic showing how he became after that relationship.
“Techno Show” is the next song on the album. It uses perfectly timed silences, and guitar riffs to draw a cheerful feel after the sadder tone of “Being so Normal”. The song tells a story of not wanting to be in the upbeat party environment but finding comfort in being with the girl he is with. This song contrasts with the others with its complex metaphors and romanticizing lyrics to a simplistic bluntness that humanizes the song with a level of rawness.
The song “Alrighty Aphrodite” illustrates strong allusions to the story of the goddess Aphrodite. This song uses elaborate metaphors to romanticize this subject. In the classical painting of “The Birth of Venus”, she is depicted in a clam shell, resulting in the sarcastic first lyric of the song, “Take a seat back in your clam shell if the oceans not enough, nor am I”. He describes a girl as having traits like the Goddess Aphrodite in describing her power over men, along with her inability to stay faithful and decide who she wants to be with.
“Chagu’s Sideturn” references a trip that Neil took to Indonesia where he had a guide named Chagu. His guide would say “We gotta sideturn sometime” which Neil later found out was crystal meth. Neil describes his personal ups and downs through describing Chagu. “Chagu’s Sideturn” has riffy vibes and a fun melody that makes you want to dance.
“Not Me” is a song about how Neil is longing to be with a girl and feels her slipping away. He describes feeling upset through the song while she is happy. This song contains lots of intense fuzzy sounding guitar solos. Certain lyrics show resentment.
“Hot Knifer” is arguably the most depressing song on the album. Neil describes himself smoking alone because he isn’t with the person he wants to be with. He says throughout the songs that he is okay, but contrasts it with the irony of the drug use.
“Private Presley” begins with a soft militant repetitive beat that continues throughout the track. The drummer, Mikey Pascuzzi uses perfectly timed silences, and breaks in drumming. The song makes references to Elvis Presley throughout the song and in the title, and ends with an intense guitar solo.
“Tommy’s Party” is one of the more somber tracks on this album, and my personal favorite. It is told in the perspective of one of Neil’s friends that feels neglected as a friend. He feels like Neil keeps choosing girls, and getting drunk over hanging out with his “bud” like old times.
In review, I highly recommend this album to anyone who enjoys indie, or alternative music. Peach Pit’s album, “Being so Normal” shows lots of passion, and energy. I give this album 5 stars. If you enjoy artists like Hippo Campus, COIN, Rex Orange County, or Mom Jeans, Peach Pit will be your next favorite band.
