Press

Reviews of our self-titled debut are in.

On Team Genius - Team Genius:

Toss in eclectic and harmonic arrangements, infectiously robust singing, an inspired sense of pure go-for-it audacity and creativity, and the net result spells -WINNER- all the way. A gloriously flaky and idiosyncratic one-of-a-kind doozy.” - Joe Wawyrzniak, Jersey Beat

““Take Me Home” is absolutely tits: snappy electro-funk-meets-downtown dance dive, as realized by a hip suburban jazz choir.”-We Heart Music

“It’s quirky, anthemic, something you could play in a cover band alongside The Knack’s “Good Girls Don’t” and “Frustrated” and a bit of The Hooters catalog while doing DJ sets involving Boredoms and Todd Rundgren acetates.” -The Run-Off Groove

“This debut self released album is a pure joy of surprise/excitement. Their songs are catchy, poppy indie numbers that refuse to leave my head all day long. Fans of old K Records and Polyvinyl Records releases need to check them out.” - Crashin’ In

“Team Genius may just have one of the most interesting eclectic pop records of the year on their hands. A few pairs of siblings and some buddies make up this Indie Pop group, and you can hear it in their music. Their first single “Take Me Home” reminds me of Some Talking Heads, with Prince guest appearing on vocals, and even some FYC’s.” - perfspot.com

“Although they maintain some of the low-tech unfussiness that made Hooray enjoyable, the Team’s lyrical psyche has definitely evolved (“Let’s All Sleep Together” and “I’m Just an Idiot” have been replaced with “The Wise Ones All Give Up” and “Meanderings and Musings”).  Even “Sing Song,” a cheeky little ditty-bop about singing and being loud but not sorry sounds better post-studio magic (and this was one of the standout tracks of Hooray).” -We Heart Music

“Team Genius provides irreverent indie pop for the ipod generation.” - Powerpopaholic.com

“Oone of the most interesting eclectic pop records of the year. Their first single “Take Me Home” reminds me of Some Talking Heads, with Prince guest appearing on vocals, and even some FYC’s.” - perfspot.com

“A pure joy of surprise/excitement. Their songs are catchy, poppy indie numbers that refuse to leave my head all day long. Fans of old K Records and Polyvinyl Records releases need to check them out.” - Crashin’ In

Reviews of our EP, “Hooray”

Check out our favorite review to date, from Lara at We Heart Music. She writes:

“Despite the dorkiness (or perhaps because of it), the songs are curiously infectious—short anthems that are neither sweet nor sour. Singer Drew Hermiller’s brand of unintelligible wit is obnoxiously charming, like a cruder more pubescent Weezer (without the endless self-doubt).”

She also calls our hairstyles “questionable/lame.”Awesome.

The Deli Magazine said:

“Hooray does seem to be the correct word choice for this five-song EP. With fast guitar riffs, happy, upbeat vocals, keyboards and clinking drums, Team Genius wails back and forth between dance-y post-punk and a freak-folk family style appeal. Eight members, two brothers, two girls, lots of influences and instruments meld together in a family style manner with “oohs” in the choruses and a smattering of harmonies. … Team Genius’ sound gives off the impression that not only is it great to listen to, but they would probably be exciting to see live, which is sometimes hard to get from an album.”

More:

“5 out of 5! - After much thought, it is the perfect EP.” - Allan’s World

“These Midwestern transplants first caught my ear as a trio under the name G-Whiz. Now grown to a quintet and certifiably a Brooklyn band (i.e. they’re quirky and have lived in NYC over a year,) Team Genius defies Greenpoint trendiness by eschewing dance grooves, angst, and alienation for a folksy, sunny, Pop-Americana sound . Frontman Drew Hermiller’s uninhibited vocals yip and yelp with an abandon that recalls those early Lower East Side acid-folk bands like The Fugs and Holy Modal Rounders, who were inventing punk with banjos and kazoos without realizing it. Hermiller’s zaniness is leavened by his bandmates, who layer well-structured harmony vocals, synths, handclaps, and guitars into these pretty (if sometimes pretty weird) indie-pop songs.” – Jim Testa, Jersey Beat

“I’m hearing immediate comparisons to Sunset Rubdown and I like it! … a solid all-around song that I think a lot of you will like.” – Pop Tarts Suck Toasted on “Sing Song”

“Team Genius captured my heart somehow. Could have it been the “whew-uh-oh” vocals all over, the palm muted electric guitar, the simple keyboards, or the frontman’s nervous charm.” - Whipsradio.com

“I hadn’t heard of them before, but based on the strength of these tracks that won’t be the case for long! Akin to The Thermals playing Moldy Peaches and Arcade Fire tunes. Definitely an interesting listen!” – I Work At Initech

“…the perfect sing-along for sports games, buddies celebrating at a bar or even pirates drinking on a ship! The handclaps and background chants of “woo” make it a simple yet fun song to listen to … and the harmonica at the end is an added bonus. “Sing Song” is from the album Hooray, a collection of songs that are bound to be part of your summer soundtrack.” - Buzznet.com

“I can’t deny there are more than a few songs that make me want to pop open a cold beer, but “Sing Song” by Team Genius (from their excellent Hooray EP) is one of the only ones I remember that sent me straight from the stereo to the fridge on first listen. It also makes me remember that not enough music is this fun. The Ohio band is working on a full-length that they plan to bestow upon us this fall, and until then…Hooray beer!” - Podflash.net

“Taking nerdy animation to new highs, Team Genius bring the Hooray E.P., complete with five fun loving pop songs. Ranging from the guitar chug of “Let’s All Sleep Together,” to the back alley sing along “Sing Song,” this one will be over too quick for some of you. - Parasites and Sycophants

“This is what music woulda sounded like in high school, of course if we had pop beats.” - BBQ Chicken Robot

“Team Genius makes great scratchy and nerdy indie-pop from the Midwest. These kids are making music fun again by making silly songs that are instantly catchy, yet filled with tons of heartfelt lyrics that soar in your ear all day long (check out “Handclaps In E Major” for the perfect example). With all of the large influx of bands trying too hard, it is good to hear a band having a good time again, while still making good songs.” - 4 Out of 5 Stars - Crashin’ In

“The five tracks featured on this debut E.P. from Team Genius vacillate from quirky psych-folk (Sing Song & Hand Claps in E Major) to edgy post-punk (Let’s All Sleep Together & I’m Just An Idiot) to gnarly twee country-pop (Must). References the knowing observant might pick up would include the Flaming Lips, XTC, Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan, Lambchop to name but a few.
Hopefully, a teaser for the full-length album to come. Promising.” - The Power of Pop

“Ah, gentle-but-active pop music — Team Genius, who released the Hooray EP on Feb. 26, are the perpetrators of some fairly simple music, but that doesn’t mean they don’t create something addicting, too. Of course, this much is likely obvious: Much music, historically, has been simplistic, and some of it has been successful. Big surprise. Still, Team Genius provides an interesting perspective on the matter, with their irreverent indie pop taking on a variety of historical styles without much concern for public opinion. That’s where the band’s strength is, I’d argue.” - MusicGeek.Org

“Upbeat tempo music that enables you to dance around, however you want, not needing to worry what others think of your moves, just do it proudly and feel the music. You might also wanna sing along.” - Untyteld

“Brooklyn’s Team Genius debut a unique sound, or a number of unique sounds, on this 5 song EP. With an energy that has been compared to the likes of Animal Collective and the Arcade Fire, Hooray is full of fun pop songs that mix downright danceable beats with harmonies, handclaps, and pointed lyrics. Track 1, “Let’s All Sleep Together” has a Weezer à la Pinkerton sound; while “Sing Song” offers a more accurate taste of the Team Genius sound, one that strongly echo’s Wolf Parade - vocalist Drew Hermiller actually sounds a hell of a lot like Spencer Krug at times. The EP progresses with a bigger sound on “Hand Claps in E”, the discs highlight; while “I’m Just an Idiot” brings a caffeinated Wolf Parade meets the Sex Pistols sound. The album ends with the slower, and very strong, “Must”, a number that showcases the more lyrical depth and range of this young, fun, pop band. I imagine Hooray is just the tip of the iceberg - looking forward to a undeniably rewarding full length. A fun EP that doesn’t overshoot it’s mark.” - MyMixTapes.org