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"new reviews"

Mas Rapido - s/t cd (Parasol)
The name may be new, but the band is not - this band is the new project from everyone's favorite indiepop married couple from Seattle: Toothpaste 2000. Rumor has it that the name change was to mark a change in style, but I really don't hear much of a change here - the duo still plays short and sugary pop songs that are as bubblegum as they are power pop. In fact, there's not really much to differentiate this from any of the last few Toothpaste 2000 records, as both Frank & Donna are writing the same type of songs, and alternating lead vocal duties throughout the record. Sure, there are a couple tunes that don't quite fit their usual formula, like "Christopher Robin's Dead" (which has a subtle psych-pop feel to it), "Cry Just A Little Bit" (a slower song with impeccable harmonies, which actually turned out to be one of my faves on the album) and "Later That Same Day" (which sounds more like a straightforward indie rock song), but they've traditionally deviated once or twice per album before, so I'm still not sure where the name change came from. And like the last records, there's still that minor problem where the songs can be a bit same-y after a while, but if a band's going to have similar-sounding songs, I can always overlook it when their songs are as good as these. MTQ=14/17
- www.indiepages.com


"new reviews"

Mas Rapido - s/t cd (Parasol)
The name may be new, but the band is not - this band is the new project from everyone's favorite indiepop married couple from Seattle: Toothpaste 2000. Rumor has it that the name change was to mark a change in style, but I really don't hear much of a change here - the duo still plays short and sugary pop songs that are as bubblegum as they are power pop. In fact, there's not really much to differentiate this from any of the last few Toothpaste 2000 records, as both Frank & Donna are writing the same type of songs, and alternating lead vocal duties throughout the record. Sure, there are a couple tunes that don't quite fit their usual formula, like "Christopher Robin's Dead" (which has a subtle psych-pop feel to it), "Cry Just A Little Bit" (a slower song with impeccable harmonies, which actually turned out to be one of my faves on the album) and "Later That Same Day" (which sounds more like a straightforward indie rock song), but they've traditionally deviated once or twice per album before, so I'm still not sure where the name change came from. And like the last records, there's still that minor problem where the songs can be a bit same-y after a while, but if a band's going to have similar-sounding songs, I can always overlook it when their songs are as good as these. MTQ=14/17
- www.indiepages.com


"Aversion"

Pity Party
Mas Rapido
Parasol Records




(out of 5)
For those keeping score, Pity Party is the second platter from Frank Bednash and Donna Esposito as Mas Rapido, the name the act's called itself since cashing in its Toothpaste 2000 name, which superceded its days as Cowboy and Spingirl. At this point, the only question for those following the duo, which traces its collaborative efforts back to the '80s, is what blend of pop influences does it bring to the table this time around?

The first few bars of album opener "Emily Lloyd," with its fuzzy-edged guitar and Bednash's immediate, sing-song vocals firmly answer that question: back to power-pop thrills. And while Bednash and Esposito trade off lead vocal duties throughout the album, they never waver from their goal of reanimating '60 and '70s ear-candy for a new generation. "Believe It" matches Esposito's bubbly-syrup vocals with a the screaming barbs of buzzing guitars. "Your Last Victory" matches a galloping rhythm that's halfway between alt-country and rock with Bednash's well polished combination of riffs inspired equally by Cheap Trick as The Ramones and an equally galloping vocal. "Girl Du Jour" could be giving a retro makeover to the alt-radio sounds of The Breeders, or it could be borrowing the distortion pedals from the punk acts two garages down. "Chasing Rainbows" inches closer to '70s power-pop revivalism, as Bednash channels the spirit of Big Star -- though possibly it's channeled via The Posies' love of the power-pop greats.

Esposito and Bednash are masters of their trade, if they're the sort who are content to dump big ambition in order to serve as honor guard to the classic power-pop formula until somebody else comes along to kick it into high gear once again. More of a supplement to your well-worn power-pop canon than an installment into it, Pity Party's an album for people who love power pop for the sheer thrill of it -- not for its ability to redefine itself with the times.

- Matt Schild
- Aversion on My Space


"Aversion"

Pity Party
Mas Rapido
Parasol Records




(out of 5)
For those keeping score, Pity Party is the second platter from Frank Bednash and Donna Esposito as Mas Rapido, the name the act's called itself since cashing in its Toothpaste 2000 name, which superceded its days as Cowboy and Spingirl. At this point, the only question for those following the duo, which traces its collaborative efforts back to the '80s, is what blend of pop influences does it bring to the table this time around?

The first few bars of album opener "Emily Lloyd," with its fuzzy-edged guitar and Bednash's immediate, sing-song vocals firmly answer that question: back to power-pop thrills. And while Bednash and Esposito trade off lead vocal duties throughout the album, they never waver from their goal of reanimating '60 and '70s ear-candy for a new generation. "Believe It" matches Esposito's bubbly-syrup vocals with a the screaming barbs of buzzing guitars. "Your Last Victory" matches a galloping rhythm that's halfway between alt-country and rock with Bednash's well polished combination of riffs inspired equally by Cheap Trick as The Ramones and an equally galloping vocal. "Girl Du Jour" could be giving a retro makeover to the alt-radio sounds of The Breeders, or it could be borrowing the distortion pedals from the punk acts two garages down. "Chasing Rainbows" inches closer to '70s power-pop revivalism, as Bednash channels the spirit of Big Star -- though possibly it's channeled via The Posies' love of the power-pop greats.

Esposito and Bednash are masters of their trade, if they're the sort who are content to dump big ambition in order to serve as honor guard to the classic power-pop formula until somebody else comes along to kick it into high gear once again. More of a supplement to your well-worn power-pop canon than an installment into it, Pity Party's an album for people who love power pop for the sheer thrill of it -- not for its ability to redefine itself with the times.

- Matt Schild
- Aversion on My Space


"Mike Bennett/Capsule reviews"

Mas Rapido -- Mas Rapido (Parasol): The artists formerly known as Toothpaste 2000 are now called Mas Rapido. The new moniker fits, as this is yet another rush of breathless power pop tunes from Frank Bednash and Donna Esposito. Their music is just a bit too lightweight to be true punk-pop in the tradition of The Undertones and Buzzcocks and Fastbacks (or, to be more obscure, Parasites), but it's not sufficiently beholden to the ‘60s to truly fit within the power pop mold. So what? This rocks in a joyful manner and I can only marvel at how this duo basically has made the same album yet again, and it still sounds fresh. Right now, I'm listening to "This & That", a Bednash tune with a stop-start rhythm that is ultra-catchy, topped off with a superb Esposito guitar solo. Speaking of Esposito, this might be the best batch of songs she's come up with yet. Her voice is so sugary sweet, but not rangy, so it has to be a challenge to find a little variety for her turns at the mike. She is up to the challenge here. "If This Is Wrong" could easily be transformed into a girl group song, with its simple and fiendishly catchy melody. On "Exhileration Time", Esposito creates a muscular form of dream pop, while "Graduation Day" is simply a dreamy rock ballad. Meanwhile, Bednash's "Christopher Robin's Dead" has a "Friday On My Mind"-style urgency, but unlike The Easybeats' classic, when the song releases the tension, it's not celebratory -- it's more winsome and empathetic. He takes a breather on the mid-tempo acoustic guitar laced "Cry Just a Little Bit", which, for some reason, reminds me a bit of Cheap Trick, even though it doesn't really sound like them. It's a real tribute to Bednash and Esposito that they consistently make such good records. Check it out. parasol.com - fufkin.com


"Mike Bennett/Capsule reviews"

Mas Rapido -- Mas Rapido (Parasol): The artists formerly known as Toothpaste 2000 are now called Mas Rapido. The new moniker fits, as this is yet another rush of breathless power pop tunes from Frank Bednash and Donna Esposito. Their music is just a bit too lightweight to be true punk-pop in the tradition of The Undertones and Buzzcocks and Fastbacks (or, to be more obscure, Parasites), but it's not sufficiently beholden to the ‘60s to truly fit within the power pop mold. So what? This rocks in a joyful manner and I can only marvel at how this duo basically has made the same album yet again, and it still sounds fresh. Right now, I'm listening to "This & That", a Bednash tune with a stop-start rhythm that is ultra-catchy, topped off with a superb Esposito guitar solo. Speaking of Esposito, this might be the best batch of songs she's come up with yet. Her voice is so sugary sweet, but not rangy, so it has to be a challenge to find a little variety for her turns at the mike. She is up to the challenge here. "If This Is Wrong" could easily be transformed into a girl group song, with its simple and fiendishly catchy melody. On "Exhileration Time", Esposito creates a muscular form of dream pop, while "Graduation Day" is simply a dreamy rock ballad. Meanwhile, Bednash's "Christopher Robin's Dead" has a "Friday On My Mind"-style urgency, but unlike The Easybeats' classic, when the song releases the tension, it's not celebratory -- it's more winsome and empathetic. He takes a breather on the mid-tempo acoustic guitar laced "Cry Just a Little Bit", which, for some reason, reminds me a bit of Cheap Trick, even though it doesn't really sound like them. It's a real tribute to Bednash and Esposito that they consistently make such good records. Check it out. parasol.com - fufkin.com


"not lame"

Good Music For Good People
Mas Rapido! - s/t





Fans of Let`s Active and Redd Cross with lots of 60`s influences thrown in, well, check this out! Debut release from the artists formerly known as Toothpaste 2000, veteran guitar pop trio from Seattle, and part of the Parasol family since the days when Frank and Donna were better known as Cowboy and Spingirl. Looking to explain the new softly psychedelic but still rocking sound of their latest recordings our heroic trio, Donna Esposito, Frank Bednash, and Kirk Jamieson, have chosen an exotic new moniker. This new sound manifests itself like a handful of lost 60s Nuggets classics. The Action, The Creation, The Easybeats, all wrapped up here in through-the-looking-glass references to Pooh (OK, Christopher Robins Dead is really about the mysterious demise of Rolling Stone Brian Jones), pop, and the pervasive power of rock-n-roll.
"..another rush of breathless power pop tunes from Frank Bednash and Donna Esposito. Their music is just a bit too lightweight to be true punk-pop in the tradition of The Undertones and Buzzcocks and Fastbacks (or, to be more obscure, Parasites), but it?s not sufficiently beholden to the 60s to truly fit within the power pop mold. So what? This rocks in a joyful manner and I can only marvel at how this duo basically has made the same album yet again, and it still sounds fresh. Right now, I`m listening to "This & That", a Bednash tune with a stop-start rhythm that is ultra-catchy, topped off with a superb Esposito guitar solo. Speaking of Esposito, this might be the best batch of songs she?s come up with yet. Her voice is so sugary sweet, but not rangy, so it has to be a challenge to find a little variety for her turns at the mike. She is up to the challenge here. "If This Is Wrong" could easily be transformed into a girl group song, with its simple and fiendishly catchy melody. On ?Exhileration Time?, Esposito creates a muscular..It?` a real tribute to Bednash and Esposito that they consistently make such good records. "-Mike Bennett, Fufkin.com. Very Highly Recommended!

Cry Just A Little Bit - mp3



- not lame.com


"not lame"

Good Music For Good People
Mas Rapido! - s/t





Fans of Let`s Active and Redd Cross with lots of 60`s influences thrown in, well, check this out! Debut release from the artists formerly known as Toothpaste 2000, veteran guitar pop trio from Seattle, and part of the Parasol family since the days when Frank and Donna were better known as Cowboy and Spingirl. Looking to explain the new softly psychedelic but still rocking sound of their latest recordings our heroic trio, Donna Esposito, Frank Bednash, and Kirk Jamieson, have chosen an exotic new moniker. This new sound manifests itself like a handful of lost 60s Nuggets classics. The Action, The Creation, The Easybeats, all wrapped up here in through-the-looking-glass references to Pooh (OK, Christopher Robins Dead is really about the mysterious demise of Rolling Stone Brian Jones), pop, and the pervasive power of rock-n-roll.
"..another rush of breathless power pop tunes from Frank Bednash and Donna Esposito. Their music is just a bit too lightweight to be true punk-pop in the tradition of The Undertones and Buzzcocks and Fastbacks (or, to be more obscure, Parasites), but it?s not sufficiently beholden to the 60s to truly fit within the power pop mold. So what? This rocks in a joyful manner and I can only marvel at how this duo basically has made the same album yet again, and it still sounds fresh. Right now, I`m listening to "This & That", a Bednash tune with a stop-start rhythm that is ultra-catchy, topped off with a superb Esposito guitar solo. Speaking of Esposito, this might be the best batch of songs she?s come up with yet. Her voice is so sugary sweet, but not rangy, so it has to be a challenge to find a little variety for her turns at the mike. She is up to the challenge here. "If This Is Wrong" could easily be transformed into a girl group song, with its simple and fiendishly catchy melody. On ?Exhileration Time?, Esposito creates a muscular..It?` a real tribute to Bednash and Esposito that they consistently make such good records. "-Mike Bennett, Fufkin.com. Very Highly Recommended!

Cry Just A Little Bit - mp3



- not lame.com


Discography

Pity Party;mas rapido; catch~22; instant action!; va va voom!;bachelorette; fine, cool, with love best; death of the Italian Film Star; Odds&Bobs;Earcandy;all full~length cds

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Bio

we used to be toothpaste2000, we changed our name because we moved back to New Jersey& we live in a Cuban neighborhood. Our 10th cd just came out on Parasol records.