The Halo Benders

When Calvin Johnson of Beat Happening and Doug Martsch of Built To Spill get together, they make fun, groovy, lyrical, wonderful songs that often top the bands they came from.

see Beat Happening, Built To Spill, Dub Narcotic Sound System, Calvin Johnson, Doug Martsch

Information: The Halo Benders
Suggested First Purchase: Don't Tell Me Now

God Don't Make No Junk (1994) -- From the opening acoustic "Snowfall" to the weird-sounding "Don't Touch My Bikini" to the driving "Canned Oxygen" and the perfect "On a Tip," this album is a delight. A

Don't Tell Me Now (1996) -- Even better than the previous release, there's not a weak song on this album. Every one of them are memorable. Get it. A

The Rebels Not In (1998) -- The Halo Benders continue with their negatively-named album streak ("don't, no," "don't," "not"). It's good, but not as good. The production is too glossy and it takes away from what made lots of the first two so perfect. Also, the songs just don't stand out as much. However, "Virginia Reel Around the Fountain" is one of the best songs ever written (I often say I wish I'd written it), "Your Asterisk" is hopelessly good, and "Do That Thing" is hard to refuse. The slow numbers--"Lonesome Sundown" and "Love Travels Faster"--work as well. B