This is a prime example of how indie pop should be done. ¡All-Time Quarterback! take this minimal style of quirky pop that reflects heavily on the Beatles' Revolver era with a light backing of digital percussions brought on by a Casio synthesizer. And if they don't sound bouncy and happy, they sound mellow and emotional, most notably on "Send Packing" and a cover of Magnetic Fields' "Why I Cry" (female vocals and all on the latter). ~ Mike DaRonco, All Music Guide
The one-man project of ¡All-Time Quarterback! began in 1999 as a side project for Ben Gibbard -- who also spends most of his time fronting Death Cab for Cutie. By taking up a collection of broken Casios and an array of other instruments that are held together by duct tape, the end results in a gentle but melancholy dance of lo-fi love songs. With his first demo recorded on a hand-held tape player, The Envelop Sessions were self-released in 1999, followed by a self-titled five-song EP -- including a Magnetic Fields cover -- that came out through Elsinor Records that same year. In 2001, Gibbard inked a deal with Barsuk and reissued the album the following summer. ~ Mike DaRonco, All Music Guide
