What does Fun Trick Noisemaker sound like?

A whimsical blend of lo-fi pop melodies and jangly guitars that captures the essence of 90s indie rock. Rooted in indie rock and psychedelic pop. Start with "Tidal Wave".

Is Fun Trick Noisemaker a good place to start with The Apples in Stereo?

Yes, Fun Trick Noisemaker is recommended as a starting point for new The Apples in Stereo listeners. A whimsical blend of lo-fi pop melodies and jangly guitars that captures the essence of 90s indie rock. Fun Trick Noisemaker is The Apples in Stereo's debut album, released in 1995 as part of the Elephant 6 collective. At this point, the band was establishing their identity within the burgeoning indie rock scene, following their formation in 1992. This album set the stage for their distinctive sound and aesthetic, which would influence many artists in the years to come.

Who is Fun Trick Noisemaker for?

Fun Trick Noisemaker works well if you're into whimsical melodies for sunny days, steady mid-tempo for easy listening and short tracks for quick enjoyment.

How many songs are on Fun Trick Noisemaker?

Fun Trick Noisemaker has 13 tracks, running approximately 39 minutes.

Fun Trick Noisemaker

The Apples in Stereo · 1995

39 min · 13 tracks · indie rock

A whimsical blend of lo-fi pop melodies and jangly guitars that captures the essence of 90s indie rock.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Tidal Wave Start here — This track exemplifies the band's catchy melodies coupled with an optimistic vibe, making it a standout representation of their playful sonic landscape.
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Winter Must Be Cold — With its warm harmonies and nostalgic lyrics, this song showcases the emotional depth that complements the album's playful nature.
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Glowworm — The infectious chorus and rich instrumentation highlight the band's ability to meld simplicity with intricate musicality, making it a fan favorite.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases unique songwriting and a distinct sound, though it has some unevenness in cohesion.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of jangly guitar riffs paired with layered vocal harmonies across nearly all tracks.
Several songs incorporate unconventional song structures, often shifting between sections without traditional verse-chorus patterns.
The production maintains a lo-fi aesthetic, with some tracks featuring noticeable tape hiss and a raw sound quality that enhances the whimsical feel.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

whimsical melodies for sunny days
steady mid-tempo for easy listening
short tracks for quick enjoyment
playful vibes during casual hangouts
bright sounds for uplifting moments

Maybe skip if you

seekers of dramatic intensity
prefer long, immersive experiences

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This debut album established the band's identity and gained critical acclaim.
Career context: Fun Trick Noisemaker is The Apples in Stereo's debut album, released in 1995 as part of the Elephant 6 collective. At this point, the band was establishing their identity within the burgeoning indie rock scene, following their formation in 1992. This album set the stage for their distinctive sound and aesthetic, which would influence many artists in the years to come.
Stylistic neighbors: The Olivia Tremor Control· Neutral Milk Hotel· of Montreal