Chunk of Change (Passion Pit)

I don't like a lot of electronic music, but this record grabs me. There are only 6 tracks, but they're all pretty damn good - "I've Got Your Number" is my favorite, but "Better Things" is pretty hooky too. The guy sings in falsetto the entire time - it must be ripping up his vocal chords, but it works.

Passion Pit, the brainchild of Michael Angelakos, has created one of the biggest buzz in 2009 of any indie-music bands out there (not unlike, say, Vampire Weekend last year) with its widely acclaimed debut album "Manners". But before "Manners" came this EP. Urban legend has it that Angelakos made a tape as a Valentine's present for his girlfriend (the 4 first tracks on here), which then got passed around, and eventually landed him on Frenchkiss Records. I'm surely among many others who is listening to "Chunck of Change" (6 tracks; 29 min.) after having fallen for "Manners". As such, this EP is an intruiging look in a band's musical growth. All of these songs were recorded in March/April 2007 (and eventually released on this EP in the Fall of 2008). They truly feel like a band (a one-man band at the time) searching and trying out sounds. Take for example the opener "I've Got Your Number", which sounds like some guy needling at home with his computer and keyboards (which is what it wa... Read more

I first heard Passion Pit during CMJ week last year, it was the middle of the day and we escaped from the office to go see them. It was short but sweet. The EP includes 6 great songs. My favorites are 'Better Things' and 'Sleepyhead' but the others are good too. The band recently finished work on their first full album titled 'Manners', it should be released in May '09

I can't express how much I love this band. This EP is addictive. THe lyrics are intelligent and the beats catchy. The lead singer pretty much single-handedly made the EP as a Valentine's Day present for his girlfriend. Amazing. They were also on the long list for the BBC Sound of 2009 award. Only great things to come for this band.

I hate saying "oh, they're like a cross between this band and that band" BUT, if you aren't familiar with Passion Pit, that might get you in the right mind set. In my personal opinion though, comparing this amazing album to those two bands is also a bit of a disservice. Clearly, these guys are going to be huge, probably bigger than both the acts I compared them to, which are no slouches at what they do. I can not recommend Chunk of Change enough. it might be a tad short, but every track is a winner.

There have been a lot of really good albums this year, and this ranks high among them. It is catchy, dancy, and the lyrics give you more than a typical "dance" album. Is this a dance group? I don't know. Unfortunately this all-too-brief CD will leave you wanting more, but not getting it. This is all The Passion Pit have availible at the moment. Check out the songs on their website. I recommend "Better Things" because that's the song that got me hooked from the very first time I heard it on Sirius Radio's "Left of Centre" station. I'm really excited to see where The Passion Pit goes.