Excuses For Skipping play a brand of pop rock that brings me right back to the 90’s. It’s High School again: sitting in cars with nowhere to go is a major pastime, and we’re all convinced that the music blasting from the stereo will make our awkward teenage angst go away. (It usually did, at least while we were in the car.)

If it was still the 90’s then “Gravity,” the first track on Excuses For Skipping’s 2007 album Out of Work Early, would have inevitably ended up on the mixed tape we would surreptitiously slip into the locker of that new girl we’re crushing on. After hearing the song’s lush guitar riffs and sweet, shoegazey vocals, how could she help but to return our crush? Our crush on ESF, that is.

Are we that easy? Maybe… But no, “Gravity” is simply that good.

Out of Work Early’s title track is just as memorable as “Gravity,” starting off with a repetitive guitar riff and broken up with a sugary pop, catchy chorus. Then it gets a little darker and harder, reminding us of The Drop Nineteens or Lush. “Decision to be Normal” has a great kicking drum beat that again makes us all mushy teenage nostalgic. It reminds us of so many bands of that time, yet remains completely unpredictable. The same goes for “Kirrie,” which starts out soft and simple and then surprises you with a louder, upbeat, smiling chorus. Just four tracks into the album, and we’re completely hooked. We want more.

The simplicity of “Dream” makes it hard to resist… and really, who would want to? It’s lovely and gentle, soothing its way through all 2 minutes. Next to “Gravity,” “Denial of Disaster” is our second favorite song on the album. We love that Excuses for Skipping don’t let you get bored. “Denial of Disaster” keeps you on your toes, mixing up the guitar riffs and drumbeats and weaving in the vocals unexpectedly.

The best part? Excuses for Skipping is composed of four girls. Yep, an all girl band. Not that that’s a novelty in this day and age or anything… but Oh! How we love chicks and their instruments!

Watching Excuses for skipping live is a thoroughly playful yet riveting experience. You can tell that Linda Moody, the lead singer/guitarist, is someone who genuinely loves to play on stage. She jumps around smiling and laughing most of the time, and just has an overall aura of good vibes and good times. Plus you can always count on her jumping into the crowd at some point and jamming out while dancing on the floor. She usually does this during the songs where she isn't playing guitar, like when they cover Madonna’s "Burning Up." She really rocks out on that one, singing in people’s faces and getting them to dance with her…

And guess what? All those people that had their arms crossed minutes before end up bouncing around and falling into her on the floor. Linda brings the party and doesn't care what people think of her. That just makes the band super endearing! So, that’s Linda.

Then you have Alison Duke, the drummer. Man, that girl hits with serious intent. Her sense of where the drumhead is must be a good two feet under where it actually is. And yet, whereas most drummers are restrained by their instrument, Alison is a one-woman dance party behind her kit. She’s one of those drummers you can't stop watching. You can tell that playing music is her number one passion in life, because that passion resonates through her. I really like it when I'm inspired to crank my head in order to watch the drummer. She must be doing something right!

Meanwhile, Tammy Fortin is one of the most kick ass guitar players we've seen in the indie music scene here in SF, period. She really knows how to bust out with those crazy Sonic Youth guitar lines: suddenly breaking into utter chaos and then coming back again to something tight and catchy. She’s just got that knack, that subtle finesse that not many people playing noise guitar have...

Also, we love watching Tammy tap dance on the pedals, then stoop down low to bust out some oscillator shit. It’s just so rockin, in multiple senses of the word.

Tammy really adds the live flavor to Excuses For Skipping’s show. They are a very tight band, so without her guitar freakouts, EFS’s live show might sound just like their album. But thanks to Tammy, the live show always has something new in store musically.

Then there’s Wendy Brents on bass. Out of all the band’s members, she’s the most content to stay in the background. She just lays back and sways from side to side as if deep in concentration, making sure to hold down those bass lines so that the song doesn't fly away when Tammy goes off on some tangent. Even though she doesn't have the boldest stage presence, her determination and concentration to keep the band grounded is super ..... well....cute! You can tell she’s a sweet girl by the way she plays onstage, and then you meet her and know that all your thoughts were right.

We especially love it when Wendy gets out of her trance and smiles after they finish a song. That’s when her personality really shines through.

On stage and on record, Excuses For Skipping rock with an interesting mix of melodic, shoegazing harmony and ass kicking intensity. Out of Work Early is a great album, but you simply must see them onstage and in action. No doubt you will have a new crush too. Break out the Maxell cassette tapes!

[Katie Kaapcke and Olivia Parriott]

[STREAM] Excuses for Skipping: "Gravity", "Out of Work Early"