The Wondermints: Mind If We Make Love To You : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

The Wondermints' second album was an all-covers affair, and their excellent recreations of psychedelic power-pop is, of course, what led Brian Wilson to recruit the L.A. trio to be the core of his current touring band. With Mind if We Make Love to You, however, the Wondermints seem to finally be settling comfortably into their own identity. Granted, the references are still crucial -- from the "MacArthur Park"-isms of "On the Run," to the "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times"-isms of "Ride," to the Association-meets-Os Mutantes vibe of "Out of Mind." Still, one simply has to marvel at the musicianship on display. And "Something I Know" would deserve hit status in a perfect world. This band understands "hip" is a state of mind and, thus, aren't afraid to be reminiscent of everything from the Cowsills and Bee Gees to Klaatu, Jellyfish and Fastball. The ambition may still occasionally be greater than the result, but this wonderfully produced big album could give new meaning to the term "indie rock."

BILL HOLDSHIP
(Sept. 9, 2002)