Passion Pit- Chunk of Change

I must first apologise for sounding like a middle-aged grumpy man, but in the times we live, swathes of bands are making mediocre music. Young whippersnappers think it sufficient to construct the simplest of pop songs and then toss the odd bit of synth over the top. Then they have the cheek- the sheer cheek- to call themselves dance-crossover. So what do the ragamuffins that make up Passion Pit have to arrest my attention before I return to alphabetically arranging my record collection?
The answer, thank golly-gosh, is decent songs. From the paralytic static and chipmunk melodies that introduce you to Sleepyhead to the heartfelt squealing and Friendly Fires funk of I’ve Got Your Number, Passion Pit have memorable and original songs that recall the pop sensibilities of the eighties. When they do pile on the unneeded synth, you can forgive their excesses for the fact that the song is never swallowed. Chunk of Change does everything a good EP should- it showcases a powerful statement of intent, and gets grumpy old men like me to stop and take notice. Now that’s an achievement.

Review by Gordon Bruce