Printed in various incarnations in almost every article written on the fledgling band and self-professed on the band’s official MySpace page, the making of Little Joy and their self-titled debut is headed toward folklore status. What appears to be the product of good friends, good times and good fortune, Little Joy feels as effortless and charmed as its conception. The story goes something like this: Once upon a time there was a Portuguese music festival in Lisbon where Fabrizio Moretti was playing with his other little band, The Strokes. Rodrigo Amarante, (former singer and guitarist for Los Hermanos) happened to also be performing at the same festival. Common interests like Brazil, beards and music, perhaps, paved the way for a fast friendship. When Amarante was in the US a year later recording with Devendra Banhart, he looked Moretti up and the two became thick as thieves. Binky Shapiro, (multi-instrumentalist and singer) was introduced to the pair through mutual friends and the three exchanged musical flair in the wee hours of the night. Soon after they moved into a house in Echo Park together, where they spent steamy late summer nights recording and cooling off at a local haunt down the street called “Little Joyâ€. 
It should be no surprise that the music made between these friends (er, um lovers…Moretti and Shapiro are now listed as “in a relationshipâ€) is just as precious as the telling of its tale. The music is Bossa Nova cool with Brazilian beats and honeyed melodies. There is definitely a Ska and Calypso vibe, with some Strokes (especially in the vocals) thrown in, and a whole lot of sunshine. It’s what you would expect to hear as you walk on white sand, barefoot of course, towards your very own private Tiki hut in the sky.
Must hear tracks include “Keep Me In Mind†which easily accomplishes just that and “Don’t Watch Me Dancing†showcasing Shapiro’s dulcet voice in a modest gem about a beautifully flawed girl named Margarita. “No One’s Better Sake†is a short sweet ride with the top down that kindly borrows from early 60s reggae, incorporating feral drums and dramatic turns on the chorus.
Overall, Little Joy the album is well done. It’s understated, yet at the same time coquettish and plucky. It’s vintage in its finest form, worn-in, one of a kind, and nostalgic for better times. An album like that seems fitting right about now. On the other hand, Little Joy, the band, appears to be a bit too self-conscious for my palate. From the “Making the Band†fairytale that have spun to the grainy Polaroids of the band falling in love backstage at dark, discreet venues, it feels overcooked. But I believe that I can look past that, throw this album on, and take a nice long lazy siesta, remembering simpler times when it was just about the music. I’ll just have to keep my eyes closed and stay off the Internet while I do it.
Tracklisting:
01. The Next Time Around
02. Brand New Start
03. Play the Part
04. No One’s Better Sake
05. Unattainable
06. Shoulder to Shoulder
07. With Strangers
08. Keep Me in Mind
09. How to Hang a Warhol
10. Don’t Watch Me Dancing
11. Evaporar
Written by: Reni Papananias
One of my favorite albums of the year! They are phenom live, too.
Also, lucky Binky! Fab is a dreamboat and a half.
Interesting…good review…
Sounds like my kind of band!!!
Binky performed on the Carson Daly show last week and wore one of our dresses.
http://whitleykros.myshopify.com/