The Total Bettys are a total throwback – to the 1990s, that is. Falling
somewhere between the Kill Rock Stars roster and every late-decade
almost-breakthrough (that dog., Letters to Cleo, Juliana Hatfield), the San
Fran quartet make super catchy, super crunchy, and super likable pop punk that
would’ve dotted the Alternative Nation playlist. It’s a nostalgia trip to a
scene I haven’t thought about probably since Alternative Nation went off the
air in 1997. “This Is Paradise” is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Maybe the doctor’s ordered a full-scale examination of my head complete
with accompanying MRI, because I feel like jumping up and down a lot while
listening to the Total Bettys. Remember when Laura Ballance used to spend every
Superchunk show pogoing around the stage with her bass? That’s all I can
picture right now. I’m going to join her in my imagination.
--Ryan
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