Baby Calendar: Gingerbread Dog

Sugar-coated pop is an acquired taste — you either like it or stick your tongue out at it as if you swallowed sour candy. Baby Calendar are sugar-coated pop, they make no bones about it. And it is terribly catchy if you’re fortunate enough to enjoy this style. The soaring, bombastic “Zipped Up” emerges in the vein of Rainer Maria before shutting down two minutes in. “Traffic in the Tropics” brings to mind Bishop Allen with a quirky arrangement which lends itself to a mellow New Pornographers as does “The Way of the Samurai”. Another highlight is the mid-tempo and meandering “Lunchbox” that works on many levels. They hit another gear with the pleasing yet intricate “Laboratories” although “Near the Shore” falls a bit flat. Fortunately the galloping “Cubicles, No Window” saves the day with a great backbeat before veering into a much tender format. (Psst, the hidden track is worth waiting for!)