Few albums have a name as resoundingly impactful and verbosely over the top as ‘Flowers In Mythology: Polemonium”. There’s good reason to this. The Sundots are a classy group, the kind that blend together elements of Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic era music into the popular music structure in their own wonderfully anthemic brand of indie pop rock. The album has a flair to it, a stylistic tone that is distinctively their own. Formed in Detroit, MI but currently living and playing in NYC, this is one indie outfit who is well worth your attention.
Starting with the classical and retro feeling ‘The Engine’, The Sundots thesis of bringing eras of yesteryear into a modern sensibility of popular music is realised instantly. The piano work, performed by Constantine Novotn is a highlight to cherish. Novotny also remarkably plays the guitar and takes centre stage for most of the vocal work. Daniel Seiderman’s drum work adds a subtlety to the track, a constant and engaging rhythm that I’ve hardly ever had the pleasure to encounter. The bass work from Efthimi Matsamakis also adds its own dimension, as does his colourful and complementary backing vocals. On the opening track, it’s that constant and almost cinematically tense piano beat that gives it a style.
On ‘Glue’, The Sundots let loose their more modern and mainstream pop rock sensibilities. The tune sounds like the soundtrack of an indie rom-com, one that wouldn’t seem remiss if you heard it on 500 Days of Summer. It’s loaded with warmth, like basking in a wonderfully bright and sunny day. The album follows similar trends throughout its runtime, uniquely bringing out inventive retro sensibilities with an affliction for modern arrangements. Acoustic dominant pieces like ‘Olive-O’ can be found later on the album. Others, like ‘Stay Close to Me’ sound like classical Sinatra tracks almost.
All in all, any fan of indie music will be simply blown away by The Sundots on this record. Their sheer inventiveness, imaginative scale, and dexterity to create such effortlessly melodic, provoking, and exciting pieces is absolutely enchanting. Classical and modern all at once, a revelation undoubtedly.