Rafter - Bicycle

Artist: Rafter

Song: Bicycle

Album: 10 Songs (2009)

One of San Diego's music fixture Rafter Roberts' many projects -- which include the indie pop duo Bunky, running one of the city's most popular indie recording studios, and producing and engineering albums for Castanets, the Fiery Furnaces, Arab on Radar, and more -- Rafter's kaleidoscopic noise pop features Roberts and a revolving cast of friends. Growing up in a California commune, Roberts wasn't exposed to much pop culture or music except for what his new wave- and punk-loving older brother played for him on weekend visits. Inspired by XTC, Devo, Talking Heads, and the Beatles, Roberts formed the band Faucet while still in his teens. He moved to New York after graduating from high school and worked on his music via four-track recorder.

This pop gem has been buried in the rough since 1998, and marks the first time Rafter's debut has been available for retail. It's an album to lose your way in, headphones pumping, toes tapping, and mind swimming in the rich environs authored by a persevering love-seeking dude.

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