The Crabs emerge with love, from Portland, for spring

Arguably the cream of the indie pop crop, the Crabs record some of the catchiest, most adorable ditties about crushes and crushed hearts. On their truly impressive fourth release, "Sand and Sea," Jonn and Lisa - no last names, thanks - welcome aboard new member Sarah (Cadallaca of the Lookers) and her Farfisa organ for the band's most infectious batch of love odes and forget-me-nots.

Sand and Sea HHHH

From the get-go, the Crabs offer a nice break from the hustle and bustle of most pretentious modern rock. The endearingly simple opening track barely gets to the chorus before setting sail with its love 'n' laundry sing-along. On the next song, the hand claps and "ooohs" wonderfully complement the album's newly radiant, hip-shaking exuberance - bouncy enough for Annette Funicello beach flicks, but never corny - perfectly capturing the exhilaration of a new infatuation.

Give Sarah a pat on the back for the album's more animated, fuller sound. On previous releases, Jonn and Lisa played sparse, guitar-and-drums songs that worked in their pleasant simplicity, but Sarah's ever-festive Farfisa gives "Sand and Sea" a spunkier, more retro edge. And while Jonn still has main vocal duties, this album features more intertwining melodies, with beautiful harmonizing between Lisa and Sarah.

"Sand and Sea" isn't all fun in the sun, though. Like polaroids of broken hearts, the Crabs' songs are often snapshots of dashed hopes and disappointments. In "Snow in Summertime," Lisa's voice echoes doubt, while the heartbreaking "Bricks of Gold" could be the trio's best moment. "It seems we're always trying to catch our breath/Until we come back up again," Lisa and Sarah sing, offering the clearest glimpse into the heart of the Crabs: it may be foolishly naïve to believe love is worth the risk of a letdown, yet they see no choice but to keep trying ("I want it all/And I will take a fall").

Thankfully, though, the trio doesn't sing from an emotional rock-bottom: they may be down, but they aren't down for the count. Beneath the often melancholy lyrics, they are full of enough optimism to put the evil-doers of the world to shame. This is the buried treasure of the Crabs - through all the pain of true love's pursuit, they manage to honestly and affectionately capture the romantic notion that love conquers all.

And this, dear friends, is what spring is all about.

Reviewed by

Daily Arts Writer

Jimmy Draper

04-13-99