Hailing from Santa Monica, CA by way of the UK, Minibar successfully meld a Faces-like barroom rollick with harmony-rich laid-back California country. Lead singer Simon Petty`s rasp infuses the songs with a hint of sorrow, while the unheralded band propels the music forward. The album`s title Desert After Rain suggest a wealth of scents amongst a sparse landscape. This album captures that feeling. Fans of roots-pop like the Wallflowers, Grand Drive and Peter Bruntnell will find Minibar`s third full length among the elite. -- Jeff Weiss, Miles of Music (self-released)
