With a name like The Sump Pumps, these guys are not exactly making it easier for you to check out more information on them online, unless you're interested in basement pump systems and the weird origins of this quirky quartet's name.
Revenge of The Sump Pumps is nevertheless a good title for an album, especially when it's kick started with a rip roaring tune like "Space Camp," a little ditty energetic enough to get the heart pumping immediately. A good statement of intent without a doubt, and possibly the most straight forward punk tune on this their third album so far. There is no shortage of tempo here, as the rest of the songs demonstrate. Each one is a three minute (sometimes a tad longer) packaged bundle of energy on a compact disc and it is difficult not to at least tap your foot whilst listening.
The Sump Pumps have a good natural rhythm and groove in their songs which, considering that they utilize a synthesizer on the recording, could have easily sounded far too mechanical. And you would be inclined to think so when looking at the band and their influences, seeing as they are seemingly into a video game concept. They use samples and robotic vocals on the album and even their own record label has been christened "8bit Records." The heavily sampled singing on "Continuity" takes those inspirations further and the aptly titled "The Mechanical" is just that- a solid, rigid thumping beat of a tune.
But worry not- this is not a case of Fear Factory- type precision and inflexibility as these four guys are a lot more boisterous in their playing. It's not without some moments of soulfulness, even if many of the prominent instruments are less so to begin with.
It actually came as quite a surprise that I quite like this album, because this Bloomington, Indiana group see themselves as playing synth punk. Synth music is usually something I have, since I started devoutly listening to music, considered an abomination in the musical world but Revenge of The Sump Pumps is a strangely captivating listen.
This is in no way a perfect piece of music, however. The ten songs are all short enough to hold interest even in today's short attention span listening but The Sump Pumps simply seem like the type of band who really need to be seen live in a tiny club to be truly appreciated. Options for listening at home seem a bit limited unless one is inclined to do all his/ her exercise there which could mean that after a few listens it will get buried under piles of other records and forgotten and, as mentioned in above paragraph regarding synth, the constant use of it can to these ears at least be too much.
It would be great to jump around like a lunatic to these guys live though and Revenge of The Sump Pumps is still more enjoyable than a lot of music that has come out this year.
