There’s something in Robert Schneider’s vocals in every The Apples in Stereo song that feels as if it turns what could be a classic, sparkly and sparky pop song into something far sleepier. Listen to the rifftastic opening to “What’s The #?” and keep going until Schneider starts singing, and you can feel the energy in the song shift downwards. It’s a weird and wonderful gift; even when he starts screaming “‘Bout you and me!” at 1:28, there’s still something really laidback happening.
Robert Schneider, then: Power-pop’s most lethargic frontman.