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| past_members = John Ridenour<br />Liz Conant<br />Eddie Carlson<br />John Blaha
| past_members = John Ridenour<br />Liz Conant<br />Eddie Carlson<br />John Blaha
}}
}}
'''The Aluminum Group''' is an American [[Pop music|pop]] band from [[Chicago, Illinois]] centered on brothers John and Frank Navin. The band has released seven albums on the [[Minty Fresh]], [[Hefty Records|Hefty]], Wishing Tree, and [[P-Vine Records|P-Vine]] labels.
'''The Aluminum Group''' is an American [[Pop music|pop]] band from [[Chicago, Illinois]] centered on brothers John and Frank Navin. The band has released eight albums, on various record labels including [[Minty Fresh]], [[Hefty Records|Hefty]], Wishing Tree, and [[P-Vine Records|P-Vine]].


==History==
==History==
The Navin brothers grew up in [[Detroit]], moving to [[Chicago]] in 1979.<ref name="Margasak">Margasak, Peter (1998) "[http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/a-minty-fresh-start/Content?oid=896984 A Minty Fresh Start: Aluminum Group/Sweetness and Bite]", ''[[Chicago Reader]]'', August 6, 1998, retrieved 2012-01-09</ref> In Chicago, they formed their first band in 1982, the [[hardcore punk]] band Women In Love.<ref name="Margasak" /><ref name="Saller" /><ref name="AnkenyBio" /><ref name="Amorosi2">Amorosi, A.D. (1999) "[http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/120299/mus.aluminum.shtml Tin Men] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20130221081730/http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/120299/mus.aluminum.shtml |date=2013-02-21 }}", ''[[Philadelphia Citypaper]]'', December 2–9, 1999, retrieved 2012-01-09</ref><ref name="McLeod">McLeod, Kembrew (1998) "[http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/510046/19981210/index.jhtml Aluminum Group Making Beautiful Music Together]", [[VH1]], 12.10.1998, retrieved 2012-01-09</ref> In 1985, they left the band, increasingly becoming interested in softer pop music. They formed a new [[performance art]] group together, Bleak House, and in 1989 started working together on what would evolve into The Aluminum Group.<ref name="Margasak" /> The band's name is taken from a [[Eames Aluminum Group|line of furniture]] by [[Charles and Ray Eames]].<ref>''The New Yorker'', Volume 78, Issues 41-46<!--from Google Books--></ref><ref name="Walters">Walters, Barry (1999) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=pmMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA67&dq=the+aluminum+group&hl=en&sa=X&ei=VssJT7XDMYWg8QPamvzUAQ&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=the%20aluminum%20group&f=false Sibling Revelry]", ''[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]'', October 12, 1999, p. 67-8, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> The early line-up of the band included Eddie Carlson ([[Poi Dog Pondering]]) on bass and Liz Conant on keyboards.<ref name="Margasak" /> The band took inspiration from British groups of the early 1980s such as [[Everything but the Girl]], [[Marine Girls]] and [[The Monochrome Set]], as well as [[The Carpenters]] and [[Claudine Longet]].<ref name="Saller" />
The Navin brothers grew up in [[Detroit]], moving to [[Chicago]] in 1979.<ref name="Margasak">Margasak, Peter (1998) "[http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/a-minty-fresh-start/Content?oid=896984 A Minty Fresh Start: Aluminum Group/Sweetness and Bite]", ''[[Chicago Reader]]'', August 6, 1998, retrieved 2012-01-09</ref> In Chicago, they formed their first band in 1982, the [[hardcore punk]] band Women In Love.<ref name="Margasak" /><ref name="Saller" /><ref name="AnkenyBio" /><ref name="Amorosi2">Amorosi, A.D. (1999) "[http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/120299/mus.aluminum.shtml Tin Men] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130221081730/http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/120299/mus.aluminum.shtml |date=2013-02-21 }}", ''[[Philadelphia Citypaper]]'', December 2–9, 1999, retrieved 2012-01-09</ref><ref name="McLeod">McLeod, Kembrew (1998) "[http://www.vh1.com/news/articles/510046/19981210/index.jhtml Aluminum Group Making Beautiful Music Together]{{dead link|date=November 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}", [[VH1]], 12.10.1998, retrieved 2012-01-09</ref> In 1985, they left the band, increasingly becoming interested in softer pop music. They formed a new [[performance art]] group together, Bleak House, and in 1989 started working together on what would evolve into The Aluminum Group.<ref name="Margasak" /> The band's name is taken from a [[Eames Aluminum Group|line of furniture]] by [[Charles and Ray Eames]].<ref>''The New Yorker'', Volume 78, Issues 41-46<!--from Google Books--></ref><ref name="Walters">Walters, Barry (1999) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=pmMEAAAAMBAJ&dq=the+aluminum+group&pg=PA67 Sibling Revelry]", ''[[The Advocate (LGBT magazine)|The Advocate]]'', October 12, 1999, p. 67-8, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> The early line-up of the band included Eddie Carlson ([[Poi Dog Pondering]]) on bass and Liz Conant on keyboards.<ref name="Margasak" /> The band took inspiration from British groups of the early 1980s such as [[Everything but the Girl]], [[Marine Girls]] and [[The Monochrome Set]], as well as [[The Carpenters]] and [[Claudine Longet]].<ref name="Saller" />


The brothers self-released their debut album, ''Wonder Boy'', in 1995, described by [[Allmusic]] writer Stewart Mason as "a soft pop gem".<ref name="Walters" /><ref name="Mason" /> Their second album, ''Plano'', was produced by [[Dave Trumfio]], and in the view of Jason Ankeny "resonates with a timeless and heartbreaking beauty".<ref name="AnkenyPl" /><ref name="Richards">Richards, David (1999) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=bw0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA16&dq=the+aluminum+group&hl=en&sa=X&ei=rssJT9-nG4Pb8QPauonZDg&ved=0CEgQ6AEwAzgo#v=onepage&q=the%20aluminum%20group&f=false Minty Fresh's Floraline Gives '80s-Style Pop a New Spin for the Present]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', May 1, 1999, p. 16, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> The album featured guitarist John Ridenour and their former Women in Love bandmate, drummer John Blaha, as well as guest appearances from musicians including [[Sally Timms]].<ref name="Margasak" /> The album was released by the [[Minty Fresh]] label, who would also release the band's next album.<ref name="Margasak" /> For the band's third album, ''Pedals'' on Minty Fresh, they worked with [[Jim O'Rourke (musician)|Jim O'Rourke]], the album also featuring Timms and [[Sean O'Hagan]]. .<ref name="Walters" /><ref name="Porter">Porter, Christopher (2000) "[http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/20810/old-new-romantics Old New Romantics]", ''Washington Citypaper'', November 24, 2000, retrieved 2012-01-09</ref> In 2002, the brothers contributed to the album ''The Executioners Last Songs'', in aid of Artists Against the Death Penalty and the Illinois Coalition Against the Death Penalty.<ref name="Morris">Morris, Chris (2002) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=FBAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56&dq=the+aluminum+group&hl=en&sa=X&ei=icsJT42eE4eY8QO95IHRBg&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAzgU#v=onepage&q=the%20aluminum%20group&f=false Declarations Of Independents]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', February 16, 2002, p. 56, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> On their fourth album ''Pelo'' they worked with producer [[John Herndon]], and introduced more electronic elements to the band's sound.<ref name="Ankeny2">Ankeny, Jason "[http://www.allmusic.com/album/pelo-r505782/review ''Pelo'' Review]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref>
The brothers self-released their debut album, ''Wonder Boy'', in 1995, described by [[Allmusic]] writer Stewart Mason as "a soft pop gem".<ref name="Walters" /><ref name="Mason" /> Their second album, ''Plano'', was produced by [[Dave Trumfio]], and in the view of Jason Ankeny "resonates with a timeless and heartbreaking beauty".<ref name="AnkenyPl" /><ref name="Richards">Richards, David (1999) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=bw0EAAAAMBAJ&dq=the+aluminum+group&pg=PA16 Minty Fresh's Floraline Gives '80s-Style Pop a New Spin for the Present]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', May 1, 1999, p. 16, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> The album featured guitarist John Ridenour and their former Women in Love bandmate, drummer John Blaha, as well as guest appearances from musicians including [[Sally Timms]].<ref name="Margasak" /> The album was released by the [[Minty Fresh]] label, who would also release the band's next album.<ref name="Margasak" /> For the band's third album, ''Pedals'' on Minty Fresh, they worked with [[Jim O'Rourke (musician)|Jim O'Rourke]], the album also featuring Timms and [[Sean O'Hagan]]. .<ref name="Walters" /><ref name="Porter">Porter, Christopher (2000) "[http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/20810/old-new-romantics Old New Romantics]", ''Washington Citypaper'', November 24, 2000, retrieved 2012-01-09</ref> In 2002, the brothers contributed to the album ''The Executioners Last Songs'', in aid of Artists Against the Death Penalty and the Illinois Coalition Against the Death Penalty.<ref name="Morris">Morris, Chris (2002) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=FBAEAAAAMBAJ&dq=the+aluminum+group&pg=PA56 Declarations Of Independents]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', February 16, 2002, p. 56, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> On their fourth album ''Pelo'' they worked with producer [[John Herndon]], and introduced more electronic elements to the band's sound.<ref name="Ankeny2">Ankeny, Jason "[http://www.allmusic.com/album/pelo-r505782/review ''Pelo'' Review]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref>


The band's fifth album, ''Happyness'' (2002), was the first in a trilogy, and was described as "postmodernist pop music that sounds simultaneously cutting edge, retro, and utterly timeless".<ref name="Ankeny3">Ankeny, Jason "[http://www.allmusic.com/album/happyness-r611652/review ''Happyness'' Review]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> The second in the series, ''Morehappyness'' (2003), included contributions from members of [[Tortoise (band)|Tortoise]] and [[The Sea & Cake]].<ref name="Bruno" /><ref name="Loftus">Loftus, Johnny "[http://www.allmusic.com/album/morehappyness-r656972/review ''Morehappyness'' Review]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref><ref name="Paoletta">Paoletta, Michael (2004) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=XREEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA38&lpg=PA38&dq=%22frank+navin%22+aluminum&source=bl&ots=yWBeob9QSO&sig=62JKjTq-evjes6_5enfyumzUDjs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=a2ILT5a1GMmB8gPU5IXbBQ&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAzgo#v=onepage&q=%22frank%20navin%22%20aluminum&f=false The Aluminum Group MoreHappyness]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', February 7, 2004, p. 38, retrieved 2012-01-09</ref> The trilogy was completed with ''Little Happyness'' (2008).<ref name="Tangari">Tangari, Joe (2008) "[http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11186-little-happyness/ The Aluminum Group ''Little Happyness'']", [[Pitchfork Media]], March 5, 2008, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref>
The band's fifth album, ''Happyness'' (2002), was the first in a trilogy, and was described as "postmodernist pop music that sounds simultaneously cutting edge, retro, and utterly timeless".<ref name="Ankeny3">Ankeny, Jason "[http://www.allmusic.com/album/happyness-r611652/review ''Happyness'' Review]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> The second in the series, ''Morehappyness'' (2003), included contributions from members of [[Tortoise (band)|Tortoise]] and [[The Sea & Cake]].<ref name="Bruno" /><ref name="Loftus">Loftus, Johnny "[http://www.allmusic.com/album/morehappyness-r656972/review ''Morehappyness'' Review]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref><ref name="Paoletta">Paoletta, Michael (2004) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=XREEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22frank+navin%22+aluminum&pg=PA38 The Aluminum Group MoreHappyness]", ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', February 7, 2004, p. 38, retrieved 2012-01-09</ref> The trilogy was completed with ''Little Happyness'' (2008).<ref name="Tangari">Tangari, Joe (2008) "[http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11186-little-happyness/ The Aluminum Group ''Little Happyness'']", [[Pitchfork Media]], March 5, 2008, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref>


The band is the subject of Patrick McGuinn's documentary film ''The Pursuit of Happyness''.
The brothers and the band are the subject of Patrick McGuinn's documentary film ''The Pursuit of Happyness''.


In April 2022, the band released their first album in 14 years, a self-titled album. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thealuminumgroup.bandcamp.com/track/drag-yourself|title=Drag Yourself, by the Aluminum Group}}</ref> According to their Bandcamp profile, as well as recent social media posts, the Navin brothers have returned to Detroit.
The band has not released new music in over a decade; however, based on several recent posts on their Facebook page, a new album is in the works.


==Musical style==
==Musical style==
The band's music has been described as "indie pop",<ref name="SPIN2">"[https://books.google.com/books?id=FD4jKFVQOhMC&pg=PA46&dq=the+aluminum+group&hl=en&sa=X&ei=icsJT42eE4eY8QO95IHRBg&ved=0CFQQ6AEwBzgU#v=onepage&q=the%20aluminum%20group&f=false Incoming]", ''[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]]'', October 1998, p. 46, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> "bliss-pop"/"chamber pop",<ref name="AnkenyBio">Ankeny, Jason "[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/aluminum-group-p310054/biography Aluminum Group Biography]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref><ref name="Mason">Mason, Stewart "[http://www.allmusic.com/album/wonder-boy-r423204/review ''Wonder Boy'' Review]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref><ref name="Hermann">Hermann, Andy (2003) "[http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/aluminumgroup-happyness The Aluminum Group: Happyness]", [[PopMatters]], January 31, 2003, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> "lounge tunes with a new wave bent",<ref name="Walters" /> and "space pop".<ref name="Walters2">Walters, Barry (2000) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=jWIEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32&dq=the+aluminum+group&hl=en&sa=X&ei=a8sJT_naBs7L8QOh1aShAQ&ved=0CD8Q6AEwAzgK#v=onepage&q=the%20aluminum%20group&f=false Aluminum Group ''Pelo'']", ''[[Out (magazine)|Out]]'', December 2000, p. 32, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> with comparisons being made with [[Eric Matthews (music personality)|Eric Matthews]], [[Belle & Sebastian]], [[Holiday (band)|Holiday]], [[The Divine Comedy (band)|The Divine Comedy]], [[The Magnetic Fields]], and [[Stereolab]].<ref name="Mason" /><ref name="Hermann" /><ref name="Zupko">Zupko, Sarah "[http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/aluminumgroup-plano The Aluminum Group: Plano]", [[PopMatters]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref><ref name="Virg">"CD Reviews: Aluminum Group Shows its Mastery of Curveball", ''The Virginian-Pilot'', January 20, 2000, p. E12</ref> The ''Riverfront Times'' described the band's music as "a potent cocktail of atmospheric electronica, slinky soul and old-school easy-listening".<ref name="Saller">Spencer Saller, Renato (2001) "[http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2001-10-10/music/brother-act/ Brother Act]", ''[[Riverfront Times]]'', October 10, 2001, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> ''[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]]'', reviewing ''Pedals'', identified elements of [[lounge music]], [[bossa nova]], and [[yé yé]].<ref name="SPIN1">"[https://books.google.com/books?id=HJbW_6l-uRUC&pg=PT15&dq=the+aluminum+group&hl=en&sa=X&ei=a8sJT_naBs7L8QOh1aShAQ&ved=0CC8Q6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=the%20aluminum%20group&f=false The Aluminum Group ''Pedals'']", ''[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]]'', December 1999, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref>
The band's music has been described as "indie pop",<ref name="SPIN2">"[https://books.google.com/books?id=FD4jKFVQOhMC&dq=the+aluminum+group&pg=PA46 Incoming]", ''[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]]'', October 1998, p. 46, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> "bliss-pop"/"chamber pop",<ref name="AnkenyBio">Ankeny, Jason "[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/aluminum-group-p310054/biography Aluminum Group Biography]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref><ref name="Mason">Mason, Stewart "[http://www.allmusic.com/album/wonder-boy-r423204/review ''Wonder Boy'' Review]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref><ref name="Hermann">Hermann, Andy (2003) "[http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/aluminumgroup-happyness The Aluminum Group: Happyness]", [[PopMatters]], January 31, 2003, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> "lounge tunes with a new wave bent",<ref name="Walters" /> and "space pop".<ref name="Walters2">Walters, Barry (2000) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=jWIEAAAAMBAJ&dq=the+aluminum+group&pg=PA32 Aluminum Group ''Pelo'']", ''[[Out (magazine)|Out]]'', December 2000, p. 32, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> with comparisons being made with [[Eric Matthews (music personality)|Eric Matthews]], [[Belle & Sebastian]], [[Holiday (band)|Holiday]], [[The Divine Comedy (band)|The Divine Comedy]], [[The Magnetic Fields]], and [[Stereolab]].<ref name="Mason" /><ref name="Hermann" /><ref name="Zupko">Zupko, Sarah "[http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/aluminumgroup-plano The Aluminum Group: Plano]", [[PopMatters]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref><ref name="Virg">"CD Reviews: Aluminum Group Shows its Mastery of Curveball", ''The Virginian-Pilot'', January 20, 2000, p. E12</ref> The ''Riverfront Times'' described the band's music as "a potent cocktail of atmospheric electronica, slinky soul and old-school easy-listening".<ref name="Saller">Spencer Saller, Renato (2001) "[http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2001-10-10/music/brother-act/ Brother Act]", ''[[Riverfront Times]]'', October 10, 2001, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref> ''[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]]'', reviewing ''Pedals'', identified elements of [[lounge music]], [[bossa nova]], and [[yé yé]].<ref name="SPIN1">"[https://books.google.com/books?id=HJbW_6l-uRUC&dq=the+aluminum+group&pg=PT15 The Aluminum Group ''Pedals'']", ''[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]]'', December 1999, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref>


Both Navin brothers are gay, and this is reflected in the band's lyrical themes.<ref name="AnkenyPl">Ankeny, Jason "[http://www.allmusic.com/album/plano-r366846/review ''Plano'' Review]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref><ref name="Bruno">Bruno, Franklin (2003) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=5ikEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA58&dq=the+aluminum+group&hl=en&sa=X&ei=VssJT7XDMYWg8QPamvzUAQ&ved=0CE4Q6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=the%20aluminum%20group&f=false The Aluminum Group ''More Happyness'']", ''[[CMJ New Music Monthly]]'', November 2003, p. 58, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref><ref name="Amorosi">Amorosi, A.D. (1999) "[http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/090999/mus.disc.quick1.shtml The Aluminum Group ''Pedals''] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20130221200021/http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/090999/mus.disc.quick1.shtml |date=2013-02-21 }}", ''Philadelphia Citypaper'', September 9–16, 1999, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref>
Both Navin brothers are gay, and this is reflected in the band's lyrical themes.<ref name="AnkenyPl">Ankeny, Jason "[http://www.allmusic.com/album/plano-r366846/review ''Plano'' Review]", [[Allmusic]], retrieved 2012-01-08</ref><ref name="Bruno">Bruno, Franklin (2003) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=5ikEAAAAMBAJ&dq=the+aluminum+group&pg=PA58 The Aluminum Group ''More Happyness'']", ''[[CMJ New Music Monthly]]'', November 2003, p. 58, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref><ref name="Amorosi">Amorosi, A.D. (1999) "[http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/090999/mus.disc.quick1.shtml The Aluminum Group ''Pedals''] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130221200021/http://archives.citypaper.net/articles/090999/mus.disc.quick1.shtml |date=2013-02-21 }}", ''Philadelphia Citypaper'', September 9–16, 1999, retrieved 2012-01-08</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==
Line 45: Line 45:
*''Morehappyness'' (2003), Wishing Tree
*''Morehappyness'' (2003), Wishing Tree
*''Little Happyness'' (2008), Minty Fresh/[[P-Vine]]
*''Little Happyness'' (2008), Minty Fresh/[[P-Vine]]
*''The Aluminum Group'' (2022), self-released



;Compilations:
;Compilations:
Line 53: Line 55:
*Untitled EP (2005), En/Of
*Untitled EP (2005), En/Of
*"If You've Got A Lover, You've Got A Life" (2006), Hefty
*"If You've Got A Lover, You've Got A Life" (2006), Hefty
*"Drag Yourself" (2020)


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 01:29, 30 November 2023

For the furniture line, see Eames Aluminum Group.
The Aluminum Group
OriginChicago, Illinois, United States
GenresPop
Years active1989 (1989)–present
LabelsMinty Fresh
Hefty
Wishing Tree
P-Vine
MembersJohn Navin
Frank Navin
Past membersJohn Ridenour
Liz Conant
Eddie Carlson
John Blaha

The Aluminum Group is an American pop band from Chicago, Illinois centered on brothers John and Frank Navin. The band has released eight albums, on various record labels including Minty Fresh, Hefty, Wishing Tree, and P-Vine.

History

[edit]

The Navin brothers grew up in Detroit, moving to Chicago in 1979.[1] In Chicago, they formed their first band in 1982, the hardcore punk band Women In Love.[1][2][3][4][5] In 1985, they left the band, increasingly becoming interested in softer pop music. They formed a new performance art group together, Bleak House, and in 1989 started working together on what would evolve into The Aluminum Group.[1] The band's name is taken from a line of furniture by Charles and Ray Eames.[6][7] The early line-up of the band included Eddie Carlson (Poi Dog Pondering) on bass and Liz Conant on keyboards.[1] The band took inspiration from British groups of the early 1980s such as Everything but the Girl, Marine Girls and The Monochrome Set, as well as The Carpenters and Claudine Longet.[2]

The brothers self-released their debut album, Wonder Boy, in 1995, described by Allmusic writer Stewart Mason as "a soft pop gem".[7][8] Their second album, Plano, was produced by Dave Trumfio, and in the view of Jason Ankeny "resonates with a timeless and heartbreaking beauty".[9][10] The album featured guitarist John Ridenour and their former Women in Love bandmate, drummer John Blaha, as well as guest appearances from musicians including Sally Timms.[1] The album was released by the Minty Fresh label, who would also release the band's next album.[1] For the band's third album, Pedals on Minty Fresh, they worked with Jim O'Rourke, the album also featuring Timms and Sean O'Hagan. .[7][11] In 2002, the brothers contributed to the album The Executioners Last Songs, in aid of Artists Against the Death Penalty and the Illinois Coalition Against the Death Penalty.[12] On their fourth album Pelo they worked with producer John Herndon, and introduced more electronic elements to the band's sound.[13]

The band's fifth album, Happyness (2002), was the first in a trilogy, and was described as "postmodernist pop music that sounds simultaneously cutting edge, retro, and utterly timeless".[14] The second in the series, Morehappyness (2003), included contributions from members of Tortoise and The Sea & Cake.[15][16][17] The trilogy was completed with Little Happyness (2008).[18]

The brothers and the band are the subject of Patrick McGuinn's documentary film The Pursuit of Happyness.

In April 2022, the band released their first album in 14 years, a self-titled album. [19] According to their Bandcamp profile, as well as recent social media posts, the Navin brothers have returned to Detroit.

Musical style

[edit]

The band's music has been described as "indie pop",[20] "bliss-pop"/"chamber pop",[3][8][21] "lounge tunes with a new wave bent",[7] and "space pop".[22] with comparisons being made with Eric Matthews, Belle & Sebastian, Holiday, The Divine Comedy, The Magnetic Fields, and Stereolab.[8][21][23][24] The Riverfront Times described the band's music as "a potent cocktail of atmospheric electronica, slinky soul and old-school easy-listening".[2] SPIN, reviewing Pedals, identified elements of lounge music, bossa nova, and yé yé.[25]

Both Navin brothers are gay, and this is reflected in the band's lyrical themes.[9][15][26]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
  • Wonder Boy (1995), Aluminum Group - reissued as Wonder Boy Plus (1999), Minty Fresh with bonus tracks
  • Plano (1998), Minty Fresh
  • Pedals (1999), Minty Fresh
  • Pelo (2000), Hefty
  • Happyness (2002), Wishing Tree
  • Morehappyness (2003), Wishing Tree
  • Little Happyness (2008), Minty Fresh/P-Vine
  • The Aluminum Group (2022), self-released


Compilations
  • Introducing... (2000), Marina
  • The Best of Minty Fresh Years, VSC

Singles, EPs

[edit]
  • Untitled EP (2005), En/Of
  • "If You've Got A Lover, You've Got A Life" (2006), Hefty
  • "Drag Yourself" (2020)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Margasak, Peter (1998) "A Minty Fresh Start: Aluminum Group/Sweetness and Bite", Chicago Reader, August 6, 1998, retrieved 2012-01-09
  2. ^ a b c Spencer Saller, Renato (2001) "Brother Act", Riverfront Times, October 10, 2001, retrieved 2012-01-08
  3. ^ a b Ankeny, Jason "Aluminum Group Biography", Allmusic, retrieved 2012-01-08
  4. ^ Amorosi, A.D. (1999) "Tin Men Archived 2013-02-21 at archive.today", Philadelphia Citypaper, December 2–9, 1999, retrieved 2012-01-09
  5. ^ McLeod, Kembrew (1998) "Aluminum Group Making Beautiful Music Together[dead link‍]", VH1, 12.10.1998, retrieved 2012-01-09
  6. ^ The New Yorker, Volume 78, Issues 41-46
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