Favorites of the Fresno, CA underground, Rademacher pride themselves on small band values that seem almost archaic in the Internet age. Cross-country tours in a van helped propagate three homemade EPs and earned the band a shot at studio time with a real producer. Now with Earlimart's Aaron Espinoza (Kim Deal, Elliot Smith) spotting them, Rademacher have attempted Stunts, their first LP. Luckily, quite practiced compared to today's crop of indie rock newcomers, broader first impressions bode well for the quartet.

Exhibit A is a non-album demo exclusive, "What Happened to Yr Friends," that displays Rademacher's breadth as they craft a truly earnest and epic track. Meanwhile, Stunts sample "If U Got Some Magic" displays an astute wit when asking, "If you know the city, then why can't you find a place to get your hair cut?" Notice the growth without surrender. In both tracks, what's clear is the consistency with which the expertly slack songs stay gritty without sacrificing tune or tightness. Poppy without being overly perky, these Cali boys aren't all sunshine -- check the almost-Arcade Fire apocalyptic piano slams on "Magic" or the echo and feedback haunting "Friends." Still, the hooks and melodies catch unexpectedly, like walking into that near-invisible spider web, as frontman Malcolm Sosa's tender falsetto harmonies creep up from behind during the frailest moments of "Friends." Rademacher do their own Stunts -- self-releasing their debut this week! 

Now Hear This:
Rademacher - "What Happened to Yr Friends" DOWNLOAD MP3

Rademacher - "If U Got Some Magic" DOWNLOAD MP3

On the Web:
Rademacher at MySpace

Talk: Does Rademacher have the 'Magic' to turn "Friends" into fans?