Self Released (2009)
This Bender! (with an exclamation point) was from Japan and is not to be confused with Bender (no exclamation point) from Canada. Bender! features Yu, who some may remember from recent write ups I've done on other bands he was in like Plum and 2 Sick Worry. Yu send me this six song CDEP along with a few other releases from his Urban Sleep label. It took me a little while to get to this one (sorry Yu!) but it's worth the wait as all six songs on this CD are tremendous.
While I definitely hear similarities to Yu's other bands, particularly in the Navel-esque vocals, the thing that jumps out the most to me is how much I'm reminded of the band New Sweet Breath when listening to this. It's ironic, since the Canadian Bender put out records on Ringing Ear records, home to my favorite New Sweet Breath album, Demolition Theater. Like that 1996 classic, Bender! trades is fast, jangly guitar riffs with hooky vocal melodies that just have a way of making me smile.
It doesn't look like Bender! released anything else outside of a couple of compilation appearances, but this EP is wonderful and I'm really happy to have it in the collection. It's especially worth tracking down if you've liked the Plum or 2 Sick Worry records I've written about.
Bender! - Reputation Proof:
https://benderteikoku.bandcamp.com/album/reputation-proof
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