Sleep, New Toy

"The Maggies have done it. All those Pioneer Valley bands who have been trying to nail down power pop can turn in their Posies posters and call it a day. As of Saturday night, when The Maggies hold their CD release party at the Iron Horse, it will have all been done. The disc is called 'Cryptic Valentine,' and the crushed-velvet guitars ring out while the melodies bubble over and the harmonies lay like clouds on top of clouds. It is fine-tuned and finessed rock, crafted with purpose and conviction..." -- Donnie Moorehouse, Union News 4/7/00

"Chock full of addictive hooks and ear-candy grooves, Cryptic Valentine reaffirms the Maggies' reign as Northampton's best pop band..." - Valley Advocate, April 6, 2000

"The quartet has made yet another perfect pop record, and what I like most about it is that the band isn't playing it safe after the success of its first one ("Homesick"). 'Cryptic Valentine' is weirder, a little more daring. Well, they didn't turn into the Residents or anything, but the quick-moving album plays more like one of their quirky, handmade older tapes rather than a predictable follow-up to a popular record. Every song is perfect enough to be a radio hit, but there are some standouts, including the epic 'Sara J,' and the alternately rollicking and nervous 'Dying in My Sleep.' And then there's the bizarre 'Dead Jones,' which sounds like a cross between Berlin and the Beatles. You'll just have to hear it for yourself. Hint, hint." -- Daily Hampshire Gazette, 4/00.

The long-awaited follow-up to the critically lauded debut album HOMESICK. Engineered by the Nields amazing Dave Chalfant (and featuring psycho-cellist Gideon Freudmann on 2 tracks), CRYPTIC VALENTINE will turn your sickly jaded ear inside out with tear-jerkin' pop smarts, psychedelic mayhem and the songwriting that sunk a thousand paper hats. Look out for those crazy samplers and thingamajigs that the kids are so crazy about these days too!

The new album also features disturbing art by the brilliant Jim Woodring.