'A Hundred Patterns' is the debut album from American foursome the Icicles and follows on from 'Pure Sugar', their first EP of a few years ago. They are a band that are clearly looking more to the past than to the future, but this doesn't have to be a bad thing. No, not at all. The fact is that this kind of indiepop band often benefits from having idols in the past, especially if the idols happen to be everything from the old girl groups from the 60's (and oh, how we love them!) to contemporary counterparts such as Dressy Bessy and All Girl Summer Fun Band. I think that the Icicles would have been perfect on the 'But I'm a Cheerleader' soundtrack, alongside the forementioned Dressy Bessy and Go Sailor. The album was recorded with Gary Olson (of Ladybug Transistor fame) in New York, and for once this is not very audible. The cheesy organs from the debut EP are still there, and the biggest difference to me here is that the band dares to step away from the pop path and to be more melancholic at times, for example in 'Pretty', where Jeff Baron from Ladybug Transistor and the Essex Green helps the band out with some great guitar. If you fancy the bands mentioned here, especially Dressy Bessy and All Girl Summer Fun Band, this is the album for you. If you don't, what's the matter with you ?