mixtape maestro (2.0)

Not in the mood for the history lesson that themes Portland, Oregon indie pop five-piece The Dimes latest EP New England, a four-song set revolving around important Bostonion subjects like the abolitionist newspaper The Liberator and American Red Cross founder Clara Barton? That’s fine, since one mustn’t have had to pay attention in class to be able to fully enjoy this endearing mini-collection.

All that’s really required is an appreciation for cotton-soft male vocals and lush, acoustic-folk musical frames, two elements that keep New England at an evenly pleasant, dream-like level the entire way through.

Our favorites? Opener “The Liberator”, a demure lil’ strum-along highlighted by the bandmember’s mellowed harmonies and wiggly mandolin (and what sounds like accordion) accents (catch a live rehearsal performance of the tune below); and “Watching The Wheels”, a sublimely tenderized cover of John Lennon’s poignant 1980 ode to the pleasures of domesticity over superstar fame that’s still as tearjerking as when it premiered nearly thirty years ago.

For more info and music from The Dimes, head on over to their blog. Their next full-length is slated for an August release.

DL: “The Liberator” (alt)

DL: “Watching The Wheels (John Lennon Cover)” (alt)