The Trendees

we're not big on sound quality...obviouslyDREAM MUSIC ALBUM REVIEWS-Amy Smith, 'FESTIVA'Categorizing The Trendees - sticking them in a genre - is difficult.The EP Dream Music has a seriously lo-fi quality to it and even includes the pops and crackles you'd hear on an old record - or maybe that's just the bad quality. If so, oops.The music itself is a blend of vocal jazz like Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra but modern in its creation and execution. You get a little of The Beatles, some Bob Dylan and The Strokes, as well as a lot of ‘50s Elvis and other classics."When Everything is Over" is a title that suggests there's sadness in this song, and there is, but it's buried by super happy music. You can't help tapping your foot as you listen to this song.It's easy to pick up the lyrics and sing along to each track on Dream Music. Sometimes the bare basics is all a song needs. The simplicity and ease of The Trendees' music reminds me of classics that don't get much play anymore. Buddy Holly, anyone?As simple as The Trendees' lyrics are, you might be surprised to find that the song "As Long As I Have You" isn't necessarily about a girl, but the interpretation is best left to the listener.The only song where the rule "less is more" doesn't apply has to be "Sunshine of My Life". No complaints about the guitar in the breakdown, but it's short-lived and there's not that much to the song. It just doesn't hold one's interest very long.If Technicolor were a song, it'd be the final track, "Don't Let This Be a Dream". The short track sounds like it belongs in a saturated, brightly colored film from the early ‘50s. It's a song that should be crooned by a man in a white tuxedo surrounded by ladies in matching bathing suits, performing synchoronized swimming routines.What it all boils down to is Dream Music is a fun EP. The music is upbeat, sweet and catchy. Could it be better? Absolutely. The quality isn't great and some songs are begging for more instruments, but The Trendees has potential.It isn't for everyone, but if you're a fan of smiling from ear to ear, regardless of how many points you think you might be docked for the lack of cool factor this CD has, you might want to buy these tracks. Pull the EP out when you're blue and you're almost guaranteed a smile.