Princeton: The Darlings of SoCal Indie

Princeton is a new band of high schoolers straight out of Santa Monica (Princeton Street, actually), and they’ve since moved to Eagle Rock and have become the dubious darlings of the indie scene. At first listen, they sound like older, happy Joy Division-types, with impossibly deep voices for their ages, spouting bubbly songs that are easy to listen to and easy to let fade into the background. Princeton is made up of a couple of baby-faced twins and a neighborhood buddy who’ve never been in another band.  They’ve been making music since high school; about two years ago from the looks of it.

Their album “Cocoon of Love,” describes the happy little cocoon of love that kids – some kids – grow up with.  Expect song lyrics like, “I love you, let’s shout it out.” The band is tight, but the problem is that they sound like too many other bands.  Their original compositions don’t really stand out as different, exciting, or new; at least for me. It’s as if Pulp took a handful of sedatives and pressed record. I didn’t hear any hints of the “Next Big Thing” in Princeton, but according to everyone else, they’re all the rage. Have a listen and decide for yourself.