Prior to the internet era, The Apples (In Stereo) seemed like mythic pop Gods to many aspiring musicians. What you knew about the band was completely built around Fanzine articles and college radio play. I used to lay awake in my dorm room dreaming about riding a bus out to Colorado to join the Elephant Six and have Rob of the apples produce my albums. This was the first band that made me realize what record production was all about.
Their first album Fun Trick Noisemaker was a startling debut of Velvet Underground heroin guitars mixed with Beach Boys melodies and themes. What was really amazing was that this band recorded it all on a four track. Now a days, do-it-yourself albums are the norm with computers making everyone think they are the next Rick Rubin.. but back in the early 90’s, no band I ever heard of was doing this. They owned their own studio, produced all their own records, ran their own label, and played on their friends albums. The best part was.. they actually sold lots of albums!
As the nineties were coming to a close, and the new millenium began, the Apples topped the college charts with every album that they released. They still have some of their early dirty psych sound, but they have become more polished, using advanced recording gear, and writing songs that are more sophisticated and precise.
Here in order of the first four albums they put out, are my favorite tunes:
Green Machine Haley (b-side demo)About Your Fame The Bird That You Can’t See
The Song In My Head 