Splitting the Difference # 37 - Ultimate Fakebook/The Stereo (1999, Pop Kid)

This was something of a dream split single for me. Two fantastically phenomenal and talented bands specializing in high-strung power-pop with hooks and chops to die for. I'm not sure if they toured together, but if they did it would have been one corker of a ticket. I featured the Ultimate Fakebook on here a couple years ago, or more specifically the indie version of their sophomore album, This Will Be Laughing Week. Don't hold me to this, but I believe that their side of this 7" was recorded at the same time as that album. The bittersweet "Catch the Beat" equals anything on Laughing Week. The song later landed on Fakebook's parting shot Before We Spark, while "Nothing Left to Start" was later appended to the reissue of their first album, Electric Kissing Parties.

 

Minneapolis' The Stereo, helmed by one Jamie Woolford made as deep an impression on me as the aforementioned, especially their brilliant grand finale, 2002's Rewind + Record which earned a pretty high spot on my '00s albums of the decade list. Both of their scintillating contributions to this slab of wax were rerecorded for their previous album, No Traffic from 2000. This single is likely long gone, but you can obtain the two Stereo albums I mentioned and more from Fueled By Ramen. After the Stereo folded, Jamie went on to the like minded Let Go, who I'd also heartily give a thumbs up. 

 

Ultimate Fakebook

01. Catch the Beat

02. Nothing Left to Start 

 

The Stereo

01. Can't Look Back

02. So Into You 

Hear