The Minor Leagues

Ben Walpole wishes he were British, fronting Pulp in 1995. Patrick Helmes wishes he were playing lead for Megadeth in 1988. But cruel fate has instead placed them both in the Minor Leagues, playing insidiously catchy indiepop for most of the last decade from their Cincinnati, Ohio homebase. The Leagues' fifth album arrives on Datawaslost this fall, a kitchen-sink rock opera called "This Story Is Old, I Know, But It Goes On.." Equal parts Pet Sounds and Dexy's Midnight Runners, the new record jumps and shimmies with the energy of its home-recorded roots - 90s Brit-pop rubs elbows with 60s soul and even a touch of 70s glam-rock, all held together by clever hooks and vibrant production. It's this melange of orchestral pop sounds that's earned their previous albums comparisons to Beulah, New Pornographers, Blur, and the Elephant 6 collective, while managing to sound almost nothing like any of them. Joined live by John Kathman (Nirvana, 1993), Josh Combs (Kinks, 1967), Luke McGlasson (Specials, 1978), Amanda Lee Anderson (Belle & Sebastian, 1999) and Hilly Kenkel (Ronettes, 1962), the Minor Leagues are preparing to take their now-septet on the road this fall and winter, touring the Midwest and beyond in support of their new record.