They’re nobody’s buzz bands anymore. But since 1993, MAGNET has discovered and documented more great music than memory will allow. The groups may have broken up or the albums may be out of print, but this time, history is written by the losers. Here are some of the finest albums that time forgot but we remembered in issue #75, plus all-new additions to our list of Lost Classics.
:: PAPAS FRITAS
Buildings And Grounds // Minty Fresh, 2000
With the release of its third album, Papas Fritas found a special niche in the indie-rock mini-universe. The Boston trio’s self-titled 1995 debut showed promise and appealed to wordplay fans (Pop Has Freed Us), and 1997’s Helioself had a bigger, chirpier sound—maybe too big. With Buildings And Grounds, the band lofted it over Fenway Park’s Green Monster and rounded the bases. Guitarist Tony Goddess must’ve realized he had a rare gift: He was the reincarnation of breathy Zombies vocalist Colin Blunstone, and an appropriate set of slowed-down, minor-key tunes was a perfect fit. Papas Fritas also took the training wheels off drummer Shivika Asthana, and her alternate lead vocals made her uncomplicated, vibrato-less voice appear to be the missing link between Astrud Gilberto and Juana Molina.
Catching Up: Goddess remains in Boston, where he works as a producer and plays in power-pop outfit the Rudds. Asthana and bassist Keith Gendel have pursued careers outside of music.
“People Say”:
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/PeopleSay.mp3
