The Mosquitos

A mosquito is one of the most annoying things, especially if you spend a summer in the Midwest. The band called Mosquitos is the exact opposite. You’ll itch for more. Listening to Mosquitos is an easy way to dip your toes into world music waters.

Sunshine Barato is the kind of disc you hear playing at a laid-back but very cool coffee shop or restaurant. It’s pleasing and vaguely familiar, yet unlike anything you've heard before. You want to know who it is, but you probably never work up the nerve to ask the cute waitress what CD is playing. Your loss. You go home dejected, while anyone partial to the pleasures of Mosquitos continues to have a sunny day into a sexy moonlit night. Yeah, it’s that kind of CD, too.

Mosquitos are a New York trio with two lead singers taking turns in a terrific tango of tunage. Juju Stulbach sings primarily in Portuguese, while Chris Root handles most of the English verses. It’s a dreamy yet earthy and organic sound of fresh coffee beans being ground. Springing lightly through 15 tracks in less than 39 minutes is no small feat. Highlights include the titular track, "Avocado" and “Shooting Stars,” but there’re no clunkers here weighing it down.

Mosquitos have been described as “The Girl from Ipanema” going indie pop. I’m hard pressed to describe it any better. If that song conjures a soft spot in your heart (and how could it not?) or you’ve been tantalized by Brazilian rhythms before, you’ll smile through Sunshine Barato. But don’t forget to go back and check out Mosquitos' self-titled debut. It’s just as sunny. - Jeff Kamin

The Mosquitos' second album, Sunshine Barato, is no departure from their first as it is also a sunny, happy, laid-back disc that melds the sweet sounds of Brazilian pop with a simple and direct indie pop approach. In simple terms, Astrud or Bebel Gilberto meets Belle & Sebastian or the Pastels. If that sounds like your idea of musical heaven, this is the record for you. It doesn't reach the heights of the best bossa nova or indie pop but this is probably the best mixture of the two over the course of an entire album. The goofy everyman vocals of Chris Root blend perfectly with the sticky sugar-sweet vocals of Juju Stulbach, singing separately they both enchant but when they sing together it raises tiny goose bumps. Their vocals, especially Juju's, are the best part of the record. A record that may not be a departure for the group but is a major improvement. Sunshine Barato has better songs with sharper hooks like "Shooting Star," "Vagalume" and the blissful title track. It also boasts more variation from song to song and a better sense of dynamics (check the pocket epic "The Ending" for a solid example). The instrumentation is more organic sounding but also more interesting as the band adds lots of neat little musical hooks like synth squiggles, conga drums and even harmonica on the uncharacteristically hard rocking "Domesticada." Sunshine Barato is not the kind of record (and the Mosquitos are not the kind of band) that will change your life but like a warm breeze on a chilly day or a smile from a stranger, they will brighten your day immeasurably. So listen up indie poppers, Brazilian aficionados and lovers of light and polite pop, if you need a hug, throw on Sunshine Barato; it is the next best thing. ~ Tim Sendra, All Music Guide