I'm the best thing you ever had

I don't know too much about The Revelations. Here is a short list of things I do know.

They are three women. One is half-Portuguese. One is Swedish. One is from Essex.

Their record label is Fierce Panda Records, which is pretty awesome.

According to an article in the Sunday Times, this is their origin-story: "Annika Magnberg, Sarah Vitorino and Louise Masters answered an ad in the NME looking for the 21st-century Ronettes. Namecheck Spector’s babes and the Supremes, add swirling organ and a touch of northern soul, and you’re in the land of pure, timeless girl pop." Given my love for 21st century takes on Spector-esque girl groups, how could I not love this band?

You're the Loser

This is their first single, and (as far as I can tell) their only non-demo track that's currently available. It's bubbly, energetic, and the next best thing to a new Johnny Boy song. They're snapping their fingers, they're checking in with some nice woah-oh-oh-ohs, there's a bass beat that sounds almost directly lifted from every great girl-group song of the 60s, and the harmonies almost burst out of the speakers. They're a little sultry, they've got some swagger, and most importantly, they know that they're almost so sweet, it'll make your teeth hurt.

Sure, it's well-produced (maybe even over-produced), but who said we had to do the DIY-indie thing all the time. There's definitely something to be said for a record that just makes you feel good, you know?

As far as I can tell, this is the only officially released material by them. You can get that on iTunes or at Amazon. I'll try to keep an eye out for when they release a full-length.

Like a Hurricane

This is one of my favorites by Neil Young, and they do a nice cover. It's very mellow, emphasizing the quiet and pretty elements of the song.

And while I'm on the subject of 60s throwback girl groups, I thought I'd mention another band that's been somewhat prominent in the last few months: The Pipettes. On the whole, I haven't really been that impressed with what I've heard from them. But they have one song, It Hurts To See You Dance So Well that I have been loving. Clocking in at one minute-six seconds, it's got everything a pop song ought to have. Here's hoping that they re-create the perfect storm they grabbed a hold of here for some future songs.