How about I throw a little more love to that state next door? New Jersey–based Civic Mimic, formerly Jeff Hersch's rather prolific pandemic solo project, has made its full-band debut on an excellent new self-titled EP. Hersch (whom you might recognize from Casual & Glazer) is joined by Josh Stavola, Jeff Schroeck, and Phil Connor in this new iteration of Civic Mimic. Style-wise, it's what you might expect: poppy, punky indie rock with just the right amount of noise and hooks a plenty. This EP is short and sweet with three songs clocking in at a total of six-and-a-half minutes. If you grew up on early '90s college radio, this band will be speaking your language. I appreciate that the lyrics are clever and interesting in a way that's very open to interpretation but not at all pretentious. If there's really such a thing as a "New Jersey indie rock" sound (and I think there surely is), this record hits it bang-on. As a singer and songwriter, Hersch is likeable and endearingly offbeat. And Schroeck is such a unique and inventive player — an asset to any band he's in. I'm going back to all the earlier EPs and really liking what I'm hearing, but I'm definitely pleased that Civic Mimic has morphed a proper band. More please!
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