Massachusetts trio Papas Fritas was one of the numerous mid-’90s indie outfits that always seemed thisclose to breaking out of the college-rock circuit, but could never quite emerge from the shadow of its relatively big-name peers (that changed a little in 2003, thanks to a widely seen Dentyne commercial, though by then the group was in semi-retirement). PF’s 1995 self-titled debut has been recently been rediscovered around the Idolator flophouse, where its smart, cheerful guitar-pop helps to take the pain away:
Papas Fritas – Holiday [MP3, link expired]
Papas Fritas – Guys Don’t Lie [MP3, link expired]
Papas Fritas – TV Movies [MP3, link expired]
I was trying to figure out if I’d heard of them before because the name sounded really familiar, but then I realized that papas fritas is just one of the things I usually order at tapas restaurants.
Their sophmore album, Helioself, is even better. It’s the perfect soundtrack for getting wasted at the beach on a summer night.
They had very good day jobs that prevented them from touring. Have to pay off those Tufts student loans somehow.
But they were part of the best show I ever saw, The Gerbils, Papa Fritas, and Neutral Milk Hotel at the Middle East. Of Montreal’s van broke down and didn’t make the show.
There’s also a great best-of disc called “Pop Has Freed Us.” I normally wouldn’t recommend a best-of for a band that only had a couple of albums, but this has the singles versions of “Smash This World” and, I believe, “Hey Hey You Say” that far exceed the album versions. I never understood why they re-recorded these for the albums, as the singles are f-ing perfect indie power-pop. The comp is still in print.
If I ever get around to making my imaginary films, I want Tony Goddess to do the soundtracks.
Ahhhhh, to be 15 & living in the suburbs again…
Thanks, idolator.
Plate of shrimp!
I was just playing their debut disc in my car! Last night as a matter of fact.
It’s an odd disc in that the best songs are in the middle (tracks 5-9, roughly) of it.