I've had a long-standing career of completely ignoring Stereotyperider even though friends have made valiant attempts to reassure me that I would like this band. I kept hearing whispers of Samiam, Seaweed, and other great rock bands from the 90's. So when I saw a promo for Songs in the Keys of F & U was available for review I decided to take a chance on Stereotyperider after paying no heed to them for almost a decade.
I don't know what took me song long to listen to Stereotyperider. It could be that the name "Stereotyperider" itself annoys the hell out of me. It's just sounds so indie rock, as I'm expecting this band to have dumb long beards and an array of pedals and keyboards. With a name like that, there's no way this band could sound like Samiam or Seaweed. That's just impossible.
So finally with great hesitation I slide Songs in the Keys of F & U into my CD player and what do you know, they play rocking melody driven punk with syrupy guitar leads. Every song seems to have a great hook to reel you in like a blind walleye out of one of the 10,000 lakes of my state. Stereotyperider sounds like before mentioned Seaweed with huge choruses, noodling guitar parts and somewhat buttrock feel. However, that's not all, Stereotyprider also reminds me of the more melodic side of Washington D.C. You could easily file Stereotyperider in with your Jawbox and Kerosene 454 records and not have it feel to out of place.
If everything was just and kind in the world of commercial radio/TV or it was 1991, Stereotyperider's song "Luck" would be a minor college rock radio hit. This song will mercilessly get stuck in your head. I've probably gone back and replayed this song three times today, as I want it to be driven into the grey matter of my skull for the upcoming workweek.
I'm sad to report that this will be Stereotyperider's last record as they broke up early this year. I really wish I had a chance to check them out before they said adios. Alas, I still have Songs in the Keys of F & U, which by the way is probably my favorite record title this year, to keep my head bobbing and my foot tapping. I guess I should have listened to the influences around me in the last decade and checked out Stereotyperider before their demise. Well hindsight is always 20/20 and your ears don't care if the band is active. Great record.
